Can I accept bitcoin tips or donations in my free Android apps & widgets?

Question

Is it officially allowed (or tolerated at least) by Google to do it?

I've got some users suggesting to me that it could be a good idea to add a one click 'donation button' opening up their default Android bitcoin wallet app with my bitcoin adress pre-filled. But hey, I don't want to see my apps suspended just because of this!

Did you see some apps or widgets doing this yet on Google Play?

The same question could be asked about Paypal donations I guess...

Thank you to share your opinion.

Answer 1

I don't know what Google's official policy is for certain, but a donation should be no problem. In theory.

• http://play.google.com/about/developer-content-policy.html only mentions that any purchase of in-app benefits must be handled via Google's in-app billing system.
• https://play.google.com/about/developer-distribution-agreement.html#pricing-payments says essentially the same in legalese.

So as long as donors do not buy/gain anything, not even a thank-you or honourable mention, and that is made clear in your app, you're in theory safe. Disabling ads for donors is for example easily a violation of those terms.

The rules are however Google's to interpret and enforce. And sentences like

The Payment Processor must process all fees a Developer receives for any version of a Product distributed via the Store.

in 2nd link can easily be applied to donations if the app-review person sees fit, even just because he/she misinterpreted the donation button or

If Google decides that your donations are actually fees, they can & will suspend your app (probably without prior warning & time to fix the problem). There are cases of this you can find on the internet.

There is an appeals form you can find here: https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/2477981 but the answer in practice seems to be "No. Don't ask again.".

Also be aware that Google counts violations and can ban you as a person (not just your current account) from publishing apps on the Play store.

Answer 2

The answer to the question is: NO. You can't accept bitcoin tips or donations in your Android app, even it is free. The same is applied for any kind of payment processor, including Paypal. This because it violates our payments policy.

Policy Issue: Payments

Alternative payment mechanisms to Google Play's in-app billing service are only permitted if the products purchased are to be used outside of the app. For example:

• For physical goods or services, such as movie tickets, or a publication where the price also includes a hard copy subscription;
  or
• For digital goods that may be downloaded to devices and used outside of the app, such as songs that can be played on other music players.
• Donations to 527 designated tax exempt organizations are also permitted.