Google to pay $700 million to settle Play Store antitrust lawsuit

Google Play Store antitrust settlement Android app distribution in-app purchases consumer refunds

Google has agreed to a $700 million settlement to resolve a multi-state antitrust lawsuit regarding its control over the Google Play Store. A federal court in San Francisco approved the deal, which concludes a five-year legal battle involving prosecutors from 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The lawsuit alleged that Google maintained an illegal monopoly over Android app distribution and in-app payment systems, often charging developers and consumers fees as high as 30% per transaction. As part of the settlement, the majority of the funds will be used to provide restitution to consumers who made purchases through Google Play between August 2016 and September 2023.

Beyond financial compensation, the agreement mandates significant changes to Google’s business practices. For at least five years, app developers will be permitted to use alternative payment systems and can inform customers of lower prices available outside of Google’s billing system. Additionally, Android users will have the right to download applications from sources other than the Play Store for a minimum of seven years.

Entities

Android · Arizona Attorney General's Office · Google · Google Play · North Carolina Department of Justice

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 7 SOURCES] The settlement requires Google to allow developers to use alternative payment systems for at least five years. www.jornaldenegocios.pt · geekspin.co · 2001online.com · contrapunto.com · ncdoj.gov · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] A federal court in San Francisco approved the settlement. www.jornaldenegocios.pt · geekspin.co · 2001online.com · contrapunto.com · ncdoj.gov · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] The lawsuit accused Google of maintaining an illegal monopoly over Android app distribution and in-app payments. www.jornaldenegocios.pt · geekspin.co · 2001online.com · contrapunto.com · ncdoj.gov · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] Google was accused of charging up to 30% per transaction. www.jornaldenegocios.pt · geekspin.co · 2001online.com · contrapunto.com · ncdoj.gov · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] Android users will be able to download apps from outside the Play Store for at least seven years. www.jornaldenegocios.pt · geekspin.co · 2001online.com · contrapunto.com · ncdoj.gov · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] Funds will be distributed to consumers who made purchases on Google Play between August 2016 and September 2023. www.jornaldenegocios.pt · geekspin.co · 2001online.com · contrapunto.com · ncdoj.gov · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] Google agreed to pay $700 million to resolve an antitrust lawsuit. www.jornaldenegocios.pt · geekspin.co · 2001online.com · contrapunto.com · ncdoj.gov · +2 more