WA, bipartisan coalition secure $700 million Google settlement over app store monopoly

A federal court today approved a $700 million settlement in a multistate antitrust lawsuit against Google. The lawsuit challenged Google's control over Android app distribution and in-app payments. The approval of the settlement ends a five-year case and gives relief to consumers nationwide who were affected by Google's actions.

About $13 million of the total settlement will be refunded to Washington consumers, about 2.4 million of whom would be eligible. Most of the settlement funds will go directly to people who made purchases on Google Play between August 2016 and September 2023. Most recipients won't need to fill out a claim form and will receive their payments through PayPal or Venmo.

If consumers don't have access to PayPal or Venmo, they can file a claim through a separate process to receive their payment. Additional information about the lawsuit and settlement is available on the settlement website.

“When giant companies gain an illegal stranglehold on a market, we take action and deliver relief for consumers,” Attorney General Nick Brown said. “Fighting monopolies is one of our office’s core responsibilities, and I’m proud that millions of Washingtonians will now get refunds because of our litigation.”

The settlement forces Google to change its business practices. For at least five years, app developers may use alternate payment systems, inform customers about lower prices outside Google's billing system, and list their apps on competing stores without fear of retaliation. Android users can download apps from outside the Play Store for at least seven years.

In 2021, Washington joined a bipartisan group of attorneys general who sued Google for illegally dominating Android app distribution and for charging consumers up to 30% per transaction.