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Google Starts Charging a Signup Fee For Chrome Extension Developers

Posted by Soulskill on from the got-my-mind-on-my-money dept.

trooperer writes "On Thursday, Google introduced two significant changes in the Google Chrome Extensions Gallery: a developer signup fee and a domain verification system. The signup fee is a one-time payment of $5. The announcement says its purpose is to 'create better safeguards against fraudulent extensions in the gallery and limit the activity of malicious developer accounts.' Developers who already registered with the gallery can continue to update their extensions and publish new items without paying the fee." Google also made available a developer preview for the Chrome Web Store.

6 of 132 comments (clear)

  1. $5 - that Microsoft, Apple and Oracle beaten by Captain+Kirk · · Score: 1, Troll

    Seriously, what kind of developer would even notice a $5 charge? Even modestly successful apps make over $500 per day.

    --
    1000s Warcraft Gold while you sleep
  2. Shows the attitude and some people may not have $5 by Ilgaz · · Score: 0, Troll

    It shows what you can expect from their so-called free and open source browser. In fact, everytime they do it, they prove GNU/FSF "nitpicking" about the FOSS and plain "open source".

    I don't want to make anyone feel guilty or cheap but I personally know some open source developers who can't even afford a $30 external disk and development stops until they get some kind of donation. Yes, popular too.

  3. Really... by Ilgaz · · Score: 0, Troll

    So, black hats who dares to play around with Google giant's browser can't find a CC number to give to them.

    Sure... Man they could be using CC number printed papers as toilet paper.

    For example, this team/guy who coded this marvellous piece of evil software who controls 5 million computers via unbreakable, declared WONTFIX by security elite, zombie army will have hard time finding a $5 CC.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conficker

    If you have time, read all about it. "Get users credit card number" validation scheme is over. Completely over.

  4. Business? by Ilgaz · · Score: 0, Troll

    Likely 99% of extensions, especially open source ones aren't business, they are favor to greater community.

  5. What are zombie armies for? by Ilgaz · · Score: 0, Troll

    Really, why do they invest millions of dollars to make zombie armies? To spam? It is so over.

    In fact, they can even SWIFT the money, via stolen bank account. SWIFT/Bank is way more secure. (here comes $10 idea for Google)

  6. Did Google suddenly stop caring about PR? by bjartur · · Score: 0, Troll

    It's like Google just stopped marketing itself as the good, open giant. Have the hired all the best hackers already?