Google Lets Apps Like Spotify Bill Directly, Lowering Fees (2)

Alphabet Inc.’s Google will begin letting some apps bill users directly as an alternative to paying through Google, a concession amid mounting antitrust concerns over app store fees.

The new system, which Google is framing as an experiment, starts with streaming giant Spotify Technology SA. If a user chooses to pay Spotify directly instead of using Google’s billing system, Spotify won’t have to give Google its entire 15% fee, according to a person familiar with the matter. A Google spokesperson said the company hasn’t sorted out the financial terms yet.

“This is a significant milestone and the first ...