Google to compensate millions of US customers after Play Store court case

Google has agreed to pay $700m (£550m) and allow more competition on its Play Store after allegations of illegal restrictions and overcharging consumers for in-app purchases. This comes ahead of a legal battle with Fortnite maker Epic Games, where a jury in California last week agreed that Google’s app business practices were anticompetitive. With a settlement reached between Google and US states, the tech giant will work to make it easier for consumers to download apps directly from developers. It will also provide an alternative payment system for in-app purchases alongside its own. Similarly to Apple, Google charges commissions between 15% and 30% on in-app purchases, a policy that Epic has long been opposed to. Android app developers will also have more flexibility in offering different payment options to consumers. All eligible consumers will receive a minimum of $2 (£1.60), with some getting additional payments, based on their Play Store spending between August 16, 2016, and September 30, 2023. Furthermore, a statement from Google’s vice president for government affairs and public policy, Wilson White, mentioned that the settlement “builds on Android’s choice and flexibility, maintains strong security protections, and retains Google’s ability to compete with other (operating system) makers.” Additionally, lawyers representing the US States emphasized that “no other US antitrust enforcer has yet been able to secure remedies of this magnitude from Google” or another major digital platform. In January, Epic will seek an order requiring Google to make changes to the Play Store, despite Google’s denial of any wrongdoing.