Google Play will pay $700 million as part of a settlement following a lawsuit filed on behalf of consumers. Americans will receive compensation as a result of this class-action lawsuit against the megacorporation Google, without needing to file a lawsuit themselves. The settlement aims to compensate millions of consumers who, over several years, made purchases of apps, subscriptions, or digital content through the platform and who, according to authorities, may have paid inflated prices due to a lack of competition.
The tech giant was accused of engaging in anticompetitive practices in its Google Play Store
The fact is that after years of litigation over alleged anticompetitive practices, Google has agreed to pay $700 million to settle the lawsuit. The tech giant was accused of engaging in anticompetitive practices in its Google Play Store, which allegedly inflated the price of apps and in-app purchases. The lawsuit was filed by attorneys general from every state in the country and other territories, who accused the company of abusing its dominance in the Google Play Store.
Prosecutors maintained that this resulted in higher prices for end users and less competition within the app ecosystem
According to official figures, of the $700 million settlement, $630 million will be specifically allocated to affected consumers, while $70 million will be paid to states as part of their legal claims. The Oregon Department of Justice had already announced lawsuits, arguing that Google’s practices violated industry regulations and monopolized the Android app distribution market. Prosecutors maintained that this resulted in higher prices for end users and less competition within the app ecosystem.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has announced lawsuits in the same settlement
Furthermore, according to the lawsuit, the department alleged that Google misled the public about the risks of downloading apps from outside the Play Store. Among the practices challenged were anticompetitive contracts to prevent rival app stores from being pre-installed on Android devices and barriers that discouraged direct app downloads. Now, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has announced lawsuits in the same settlement, as part of a coalition of 52 attorneys from across the United States, including Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield.
As is often the case with large companies, Google has not admitted any wrongdoing but has agreed to the settlement to avoid potential litigation. However, approximately $630 million has already been added to the settlement fund, and $10.5 million is expected to be paid to the plaintiffs in Indiana.
To be eligible for compensation, you must have made at least one in-app purchase…
It’s important for those affected to know that not everyone is eligible to be compensated for the tech giant’s ‘bad’ practices. Specifically, to be eligible for compensation, you must have made at least one in-app purchase, subscription, or in-app content purchase through Google Play Billing between August 16, 2016, and September 30, 2023.
When the agreement is approved, a payment can be obtained without filing a claim
Regarding payment, therefore, and always according to the terms of the agreement, anyone who made a purchase through the Google Play Store in the United States under the terms explained above is eligible. They must also have a legal address in one of the 50 US states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands, as indicated in the agreement published on the Google Play website. When the agreement is approved, a payment can be obtained without filing a claim. If you are one of the affected parties and do not receive payment, it is advisable to contact any of the official channels.