Google has said that new developers will have to pay a one-time $5 registration fee for Chrome extension as a way to stymie malicious add-ons for its browser.
A preview of Chrome Web Store has been launched by the company, giving developers a chance to experiment with the online mart before it goes public later this year, according to Reuters.
The store can be used by developers to give away or charge for their browser extensions, Web apps, and themes.
Google product manager Gregor Hochmuth was quoted by the news agency citing bolgpost as saying that the fee is intended to create better safeguards against fraudulent extensions in the gallery and limit the activity of malicious developer accounts.
Developers have to pay the registration fee using Google Checkout, which links payments to a credit card, effectively creating a paper trail to the developer, according to the company.
Hochmuth said that developers who have already created and uploaded a Chrome extension or theme will not have to pay anything for it.
