Google to pay $700 million to settle Google Play lawsuit

Google has agreed to pay $700 million to ensure greater competition in the Google Play app store. The company will comply with these conditions as part of an antitrust settlement with US states and consumers, writes Reuters.

As you know, Google was accused of overcharging consumers through illegal restrictions on the distribution of applications on Android devices and unnecessary fees for in-app transactions. The company has not pleaded guilty.

The lead plaintiff Utah and other states announced the settlement in September, but the terms were not disclosed before the start of Google’s lawsuit with Epic Games. Last week, Epic Games won a case against Google. So now, in the Federal Court in San Francisco, the terms of the settlement between Google and the states have been made public.

Under the agreement, which requires final judicial approval, Google will pay $630 million to a consumer settlement fund and $70 million to a fund to be used by the states.

Eligible consumers will receive a minimum of $2 and will be able to receive additional payments depending on how much they spent on Google Play between August 16, 2016 and September 30, 2023.

The agreement was signed by 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

As part of the settlement, Google said it would make it easier for users to download apps directly from developers. Lawyers for the states noted that the terms of the settlement “will provide significant, meaningful, lasting relief to consumers across the country.”