D2c Revolution
Tag: Regulation
Opening Up
Japan cracks open the App Store and Google Play to rival payment providers and marketplaces
Ai Regulation
China tightens rules on emerging gen AI tech
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Regulation
Brazil’s Apple App Store set to open up to alternative payments in 2026
Apple has introduced a set of new fees as part of three-year deal with regulator CADE
Court Intervention
US federal judge blocks Texas law requiring app stores to verify users’ ages
The ruling prevents the Texas App Store Accountability Act from taking effect on January 1st
Apple Troubles
Italy fines Apple $116m over App Store privacy rules
The iPhone maker abused its dominant App Store position by imposing disproportionate privacy rules on third-party developers
Podcast | Episode 77
Games industry trends 2025 review | Week in Mobile Games podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and what's inside this week's episode 77...
Trends Roundup
The mobile games industry trends that shaped 2025
A look back at the top stories and trends of the year
Legal Win
Apple secures partial appeals court win in Epic Games App Store case to retain reasonable commission
Apple may now seek a reasonable commission on off-platform purchases instead of facing a total ban
Tiktok Deal
TikTok’s US sale stalls despite readiness from investors
As the deadline draws near the fate of TikTok’s US operations still remain unresolved
Privacy Policy
Stricter data collection rules mark a "defining moment" for India's games industry
The updated Digital Personal Data Protection Act requires greater transparency and data protection
Banned
Russia bans Roblox over harmful content claims
The ban follows allegations of extremist content and LGBT propaganda
Regulations
Apple pushes back against India’s "sledgehammer" mandatory cyber app plans
Insider sources say Apple sees the mandate as a major privacy and security risk for iOS
Regulations
India orders all new smartphones to ship with a mandatory cybersecurity app
Smartphone brands have 90 days to ship devices with the Sanchar Saathi app installed
Online Safety
Ofcom shares new guidance urging tech firms to boost protections for women and girls online
The regulator outlined nine priority areas for safer platform design and stronger user support
Child Safety
UK launches mobile game child privacy review
Ten popular mobile titles will be scrutinised for data protection compliance
Podcast | Episode 73
Industry insights on AI, China and EU tech regulation from RovioCon and Slush 2025 | Week in Mobile Games podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and what's inside this week's episode 73...
Safety Systems
Roblox CEO David Baszucki has heated debate about child safety: "I would categorically reject the actual description of what you’re saying"
The platform’s founder told The New York Times about how "enormously important" it is to pre-empt risks
Regulations
Junglee Games parent Flutter records $556m impairment over real-money gaming ban in India
Junglee shifts fully to free-to-play while assessing future options
Key Takeaways
4 takeaways from RovioCon and Slush 2025: AI reimagining game dev, China's growth threatens Western studios, and EU regulation concerns
We round up the key sessions, talking points and chats from a busy week in Helsinki, Finland
Epic/google
Epic wins again: US court forces Google Play to open to alternative payments - what does it mean for developers worldwide?
Futura’s Alexandra Kurdyumova and Alina Davletshina provide insight into results of the Epic vs Google ruling
Mobile Mavens
Epic-Google settlement sparks industry discussion on mobile game fees and distribution
The Mobile Mavens explore the implications of Epic and Google’s latest plans
Podcast | Episode 72
Why is Google policing how the world's top mobile games monetise? | Week in Mobile Games podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and what's inside this week's episode 72...
Apple Troubles
Apple denied permission to appeal a ruling that it abused its market dominance
The company now faces a potential payout exceeding £1bn as regulatory pressure intensifies
Play Store Parley
Top 50 mobile games could all face higher 20% fee under Epic and Google's Play Store plans
Games selling cosmetics will only be charged a 9% fee under Google’s new policy, but gameplay advantages will come with a 20% cut
New Era
An Epic deal for Google?
Epic and Google propose new rules for how you monetise your games
Major Shift
Google Play injunction can "transform Android game economics"
Tech giant forced to allow alternative payment systems in the US until 2027 under court ruling in Epic Games case
Cracked Open
US Google Play store opens up to alternative payments in boost for DTC
Injunction will run until November 1st, 2027
Age Verification
Google is rolling out age verification on the Play Store
The rollout will vary by region, with some areas exempt from verification requirements
Podcast | Episode 69
The big AWS crash and Google delays Android regulation | Week in Mobile Games podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and what's inside this week's episode 69...
Market Status
CMA designates Apple and Google with strategic market status on mobile
The designation gives the CMA new powers to ensure fair competition across mobile ecosystems
Feedback
Have your say: Consultation for the EU's Digital Fairness Act ends on October 24th
The European Commission is currently taking feedback on the proposed regulations
Deadline Extension
US judge grants Google one-week extension to comply with Epic Games injunction
Both Google and Epic jointly requested the deadline extension from October 22nd to 29th, 2025
Eu Regulation
Podcast: The EU's Digital Fairness Act and what it means for the games industry explained
Arcanix CSO Oscar Clark and Flux Digital Policy director of policy and public affairs Celia Pontin delve into potential impact on free-to-play
Week In Views
The Digital Fairness Act explained and Final Fantasy's mobile return | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
Digital Fairness Act
The Digital Fairness Act consultation, but for actual human beings
Celia Pontin combats misinformation around the Digital Fairness Act, with an overview of the coming regulatory initiative
Avia Anniversary
Avia Games talks charity, controversy, and ninth anniversary: "We think we have always been compliant to the law"
"It was very unfortunate that we had that litigation," says founder and CEO Vickie Chen
Hot Five
Hot Five: The Digital Fairness Act, Umamusume’s $2.5bn milestone, and Steal a Brainrot sets new industry record
Our quick-fix roundup of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz
Podcast | Episode 68
The Top 50 Mobile Game Makers revealed, and crisis in the EU's games industry | Week in Mobile Games podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and what's inside this week's episode 68...
Wake-up Call
Ilkka's wake-up call for the games industry
It's time for the industry to take action rather than sit around and wait
Week In Views
Global regulation hits games and tech | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
Mobile Mavens
“The games industry should absolutely be sitting up and paying attention”: The Mobile Mavens debate the Digital Fairness Act
Our Mavens warn that the proposed EU regulations could harm innovation and drive studios out of Europe
Age Verification
Texas enforces new age verification law for app stores and developers
Developers must update their apps to meet the new compliance requirements
Regulatory Reaction
"Catastrophic" and "another IDFA moment": The games industry reacts to potential EU regulations
Supercell CEO Ilkka Paananen stirs industry debate on the European Union's regulatory efforts
Regulations
Supercell CEO warns crippling EU regulations could kill Europe's games sector
Paananen says proposed rules risk dismantling the foundation of the €27bn European games industry
Online Safety
Kuwait temporarily blocks Roblox over child safety concerns
The country joins Turkey, Oman, China, and Qatar in restricting the platform
Online Safety
US Congress calls on Twitch, Steam, Reddit, and Discord CEOs to testify on online radicalisation
The hearing is scheduled for October 8th 2025
Investment News
Bitkraft Ventures says it will double down on India investments despite real-money gaming ban
The firm will double down on gaming studios, esports, and interactive media
Week In Views
Real-money ban hits India's growth, Destiny lands on mobile and Uma Musume shines overseas | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
Regulations
Apple warns UK’s proposed “EU-style rules” will harm both users and developers
The iPhone maker cites delayed features in Europe under similar laws as a cautionary example