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| Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash |
Google has recently agreed to a monumental $700 million settlement in response to a lawsuit filed by state attorneys general, shedding light on the company's alleged monopoly practices within the Google Play Store. Here's how you can collect your share of this substantial settlement:
According to Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who addressed the issue in a press release on December 19, Google has been accused of illegally restricting developers and consumers, impeding free business transactions and causing harm to both app buyers and sellers.
Who's Eligible for Restitution?
Consumers who made purchases on the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023 and were adversely affected by Google's anticompetitive practices are eligible for restitution. This spans a considerable number, with approximately 102 million consumers impacted. Interestingly, 71.4 million of them won't need to file a claim; they automatically stand to benefit from the settlement.
Also Read: 8 Ways To Spot Fake Apps In Google Play Store
How Much Can You Get?
Each eligible consumer is entitled to a minimum of $2, with the possibility of additional payments based on their Google Play spending between August 16, 2016, and September 30, 2023.
Claiming Your Share:
Eligible consumers are set to receive automatic payments, and the options include PayPal or Venmo. Alternatively, they can opt for a check or ACH transfer.
New York Attorney General Letitia James emphasized that no company, regardless of its size or influence, should monopolize a market to the detriment of consumers and competition. The lawsuit alleges that Google, for too long, has abused its market share to unfairly raise prices and stifle developers from selling products in other app stores.
Google’s Response:
Wilson White, Google's Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy, outlined in a blog post that Google will contribute $630 million to a settlement fund for consumer benefit and an additional $70 million to a fund designated for the states.
As part of the settlement terms, Google is now restrained from entering into contracts or enforcing provisions that mandate the Play Store to be the exclusive, pre-loaded app store on a device or home screen for at least five years. Furthermore, Google must permit the installation of third-party apps on Android phones from sources outside the Google Play Store for a minimum of seven years. This signifies a significant shift in Google's practices and aims to foster a more competitive app marketplace.