A federal court has approved a $700 million settlement resolving a multistate antitrust lawsuit against Google.
Google is agreeing to a massive payout to resolve claims that it monopolized Android app distribution and in-app payments through the Google Play Store, resulting in consumer overcharges of up to 30% per transaction, says the Washington State Attorney General’s office.
The settlement concludes a five-year antitrust case and will provide refunds to consumers nationwide who were affected by the company’s alleged conduct.
Washington consumers are expected to receive about $13 million from the settlement, with approximately 2.4 million residents potentially eligible. Most of the money will go to people who made Google Play purchases between August 2016 and September 2023.
Most eligible consumers will not have to submit a claim. Payments will generally be sent through PayPal or Venmo. Consumers who cannot receive funds through either service will have another option to submit a claim and obtain their payment.
The agreement also requires Google to change several Google Play practices. For at least five years, developers will be permitted to offer alternative payment systems, tell customers about potentially cheaper purchasing options outside Google’s billing system and distribute their apps through competing app stores without facing retaliation.
Android users will also be able to install apps from sources outside the Google Play Store for at least seven years.
Says Washington Attorney General Nick Brown,
“When giant companies gain an illegal stranglehold on a market, we take action and deliver relief for consumers. Fighting monopolies is one of our office’s core responsibilities, and I’m proud that millions of Washingtonians will now get refunds because of our litigation.”
Google denies any wrongdoing.
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