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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Google has settled a $700 million Play Store lawsuit.
- Users who made purchases will receive automatic payments.
- Google also has to make it easier to access and pay for apps.
If you made a purchase on the Google Play Store for an app or in-app content between 2016 and 2023, including subscriptions, ad-free upgrades, and game-specific currency, you might be getting some money back as part of a $700 million settlement.
Several years ago, Attorneys General in 53 US states, districts, and territories accused Google of monopolizing app distribution and making customers pay too much for apps and in-app purchases.
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Google denies any wrongdoing and denies the allegations that it held an illegal monopoly, but agreed to a settlement.
How much can you get in the Google settlement?
Settlement documents indicate that each user who made a purchase will receive at least $2, but the amount may be higher depending on the total amount paid for apps. If you made a purchase during the years in question, and your account was located in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands, you’re a part of the settlement.
Since this is not a class action settlement, you don’t need to file a claim, and you’ll get your payment automatically.
If the email on your account is tied to a PayPal or Venmo account, you’ll get your payment through one of those methods. If your account email doesn’t have an attached payment account, you’ll have the option to redirect the payment.
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You won’t see any money until at least next spring, though. A judge will oversee a fairness hearing on April 30, 2026. If the settlement is approved, payments will be sent out shortly thereafter.
If you don’t have PayPal or Venmo and don’t want to sign up for one, or you no longer have access to the email or associated phone number, or you think you should have received payment and didn’t, there’s information about a supplemental claims process.
Not sure if you’re included? You can call 1-866-905-8127 or email [email protected].
Benefits beyond cash
Even if you don’t receive any cash or only get a small amount, you’ll still stand to benefit. As a result of the case, Google has to agree to a number of consumer-friendly rules around the Play Store and purchases in it, including the ability to pay for in-app purchases through billing systems other than Google Play, the option to allow developers to offer lower prices for apps and in-app purchases, the option to install third-party Android apps from outside Google Play, and more.
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In short, it’ll be a lot easier for you to use apps from outside Google Play and easier to buy content in all apps.