Following a huge lawsuit loss, Google has been forced to fork out millions of dollars.
Four years ago the tech giant was slapped with a lawsuit from the US Department of Justice alongside several of US states who accused Google of abusing its power regarding consumer access to apps on mobile devices running its Android operating system.
Then in 2021, Epic Games and other developers launched a suit against Google as well.
As to what got Google in trouble, it largely came down to the fact that it reportedly made game developers use its proprietary payment system for apps downloaded from the Play Store – where Google charges a 15 to 30 percent cut on all transactions, according to Forbes.
The first suit against was settled in September 2023, but details weren’t shared at the time.
But in December 2023 when a jury found that Google had violated US antitrust laws, Google went on to share more about the settlement – as well announcing other changes it’s going to make.
Google has to pay out a hefty sum. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The original 15 to 30 percent cut the firm received is being lowered to 11 to 26 percent, and Google vowed to show different pricing options on in the Play Store so that consumers can opt to pay for the product direct from the developer, rather than through Google Play’s billing system.
Developers are also now able to show different prices for their products within the app without seeking permission from Google.
In addition to this, Google is paying out a whopping $630 million ‘to be distributed for the benefit of consumers according to a Court-approved plan’, as well as an additional $70 million to a fund for use by the states.
In regards to how much you might be able to get your hands on, eligible consumers who made a purchase on the Play Store between August 16, 2016 and September 30, 2023 will receive a minimum of $2, according to the court settlement.
The tech giant has vowed to change how customer’s use Google Play. (Idrees Abbas/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
As to how you get your money, there’s (luckily) not a lot you need to do.
Eligible customers are set to be automatically notified about the options available to receive their cut of the money.
The 2023 settlement came as another huge blow for Google after the tech giant was forced to pay out an eye-watering $400 million to Android and iPhone users last year following a privacy breach.
Ouch.