In an update to a previously filed class-action lawsuit in the United States, Google has now officially agreed to pay a total of $630 million in settlement money (via Top Class Actions). The suit, State of Utah et al. v Google LLC et al., involves all fifty US states and alleges that Google violated antitrust laws through its use of monopolistic Play Store practices. Specifically, these violations relate to app distribution, in-app purchases, and in-app billing practices dating back from August 16, 2016, through until September 30, 2023.
In the suit, the states contend that, as a result of Google’s monopolistic digital storefront business practices, consumers unlawfully paid more money on software applications than they ought to have. Google, for its part, hasn’t commented on the matter, nor has it admitted guilt. Nevertheless, the tech giant has agreed to pay the sum of money in order to resolve the legal dispute, with a final hearing approval date slated to take place on April 30, 2026.
Am I eligible for a potential award?
Here’s what you need to know
As per the class-action lawsuit, those impacted are entitled to receive a minimum award of $2. Compensation for some qualified individuals may be higher based on the total number of purchased Google Play Store applications and in-app purchases made. Thankfully, no claim forms need to be filled out in most cases in order to benefit from this settlement agreement, and proof of purchase isn’t required, either. That being said, there are a certain set of prerequisites to be aware of.
Eligibility requires having made digital Play Store purchases specifically between the dates of August 16, 2016, and September 30, 2023, and is open exclusively to US citizens living in one of the fifty states, in the District of Columbia, or in the territories of Puerto Rico ane the Virgin Islands. More information, including an FAQ section and more, can be found on the official settlement website by visiting this link.
US tech companies with large digital software distribution platforms have been under increasing public scrutiny in recent years, with several antitrust lawsuits and accusations levied against the likes of not only Google, but also other major players like Apple. Back in 2023, a jury declared Google’s Play Store billing service controls to be monopolistic, spurred on by a highly-publicized legal battle between the search giant and Epic Games.
