SALT LAKE CITY — A federal court said it will approve a $700 million settlement in a Utah-led antitrust lawsuit against Google, concluding a five-year legal battle over the company’s control of Android app distribution and in-app payments.
The agreement is expected to provide compensation to more than 100 million Americans who made purchases through the Google Play store between August 2016 and September 2023. Most consumers will receive payments automatically through PayPal or Venmo without needing to file a claim.
Those without access to those payment platforms will be able to submit a claim through a separate process.
Utah, under the leadership of Attorney General Derek Brown, spearheaded the lawsuit alongside a bipartisan coalition of states and territories. The case alleged Google used its market position to limit competition and impose fees of up to 30% on app transactions, costs that were often passed on to consumers.
“Google’s system blocked competition and forced consumers to pay more,” Brown said in a statement. “Now, over 100 million Americans will receive money back, and Google will have to change how it operates.”
The settlement also requires significant changes to Google’s business practices. For at least five years, app developers will be allowed to use alternative payment systems and inform customers about lower prices outside Google’s billing platform. Developers will also be permitted to distribute their apps through competing marketplaces without retaliation.
In addition, Android users will be able to download apps from outside the Google Play store for at least seven years.
The lawsuit was filed in 2021 by Utah and 52 attorneys general, marking one of the largest coordinated antitrust challenges to a major technology company in recent years.