CALIFORNIA – Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on December 4 the start of the notice process for consumers eligible for payments from the $700 million Google Play Store antitrust settlement.

The 2023 settlement, secured by Bonta and a coalition of 53 attorneys general, resolves allegations that Google violated antitrust laws by monopolizing the Android app market.

Along with monetary relief for California consumers, the settlement imposes injunctive terms designed to open the market to competition and prevent Google from engaging in further anticompetitive conduct.

“Google took advantage of Android phone customers by limiting consumer choice, inflating prices on in-app purchases, and creating an unfair marketplace,” Bonta said.

Google stopped other apps from being preloaded on devices

In 2021, a multistate coalition of attorneys general sued Google, alleging the company unlawfully monopolized the markets for Android app distribution and in-app payment processing.

Specifically, the states alleged that Google signed anticompetitive contracts to stop other app stores from being preloaded on Android devices.

They also claimed Google paid off major app developers who might have launched competing app stores.

The lawsuit alleged Google created technological barriers that discouraged consumers from directly downloading apps to their devices.

Recipients will receive at least $2

As part of the $700 million settlement, Google will pay $630 million — minus costs and fees, to consumers who made purchases on the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023 and were harmed by its anticompetitive practices.

According to the settlement website, recipients will receive at least $2, with the amount potentially higher based on Google Play Store or in-app purchases.

Most consumers eligible for this settlement won’t need to take any action to receive payment from the fund.

Affected consumers will receive email notifications, and the settlement will be advertised across multiple platforms by the notice administrator.

For more information, visit https://www.googleplaystateagantitrustlitigation.com/