RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - If you’ve bought an app or made an in-app purchase through Google Play over the past several years, you could eventually see some money from a $700 million settlement involving Google.
The settlement comes from a nationwide antitrust lawsuit brought by the attorneys general of all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The lawsuit accused Google of using its control over app distribution and in-app billing on certain Android devices to maintain a monopoly, which the states said resulted in higher prices for consumers and limited competition.
The states also alleged Google misrepresented the risks of downloading apps from sources outside the Google Play Store. Google denied the allegations and any wrongdoing.
According to the settlement administrator, consumers may be eligible if they paid for an app through Google Play or purchased in-app content through Google Play Billing between Aug. 16, 2016, and Sept. 30, 2023.
Consumers must also have lived in a U.S. state, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands during those dates.
For many eligible consumers, there may not be much to do.
The settlement administrator says most payments are expected to be sent automatically, meaning consumers generally will not need to submit a claim form.
As part of the settlement, Google must change its business practices. For at least five years, developers can offer alternative payment options, alert users to cheaper prices outside Google’s billing system and promote apps on rival stores without retaliation. Android users will also be allowed to install apps from outside the Play Store for at least seven years.
Consumers can check for updates and information about the settlement and future payment process through the official Google Play settlement website.
