Google will be paying a substantial $700 million settlement in response to an antitrust lawsuit filed by state prosecutors in the United States concerning its app store and payment practices. The terms of this settlement, which were finalized back in September, have recently been disclosed to the public. As part of this resolution, Google will allocate $630 million into a settlement fund earmarked for distribution among an estimated 102 million eligible consumers. Additionally, a separate fund of $70 million has been set aside for the states to address other related claims.
Eligibility for receiving payment is outlined in the court filing, where it's estimated that approximately 71.4 million consumers, constituting about 70 percent of the total count, will receive automatic payments without the need to file individual claims. To qualify, individuals must have had their legal address within the US states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands recorded in their Google Payments profile when they made app purchases via Google Play, opted for subscriptions, or conducted in-app purchases through Google Play Billing between August 16, 2016, and September 30, 2023.
In response to this settlement, Wilson White, Google's VP of Government Affairs and Public Policy, released a blog post detailing the terms of the September agreement with State Attorneys General. This communication also highlights the forthcoming changes that Google intends to implement.
White emphasized Google's ongoing support for alternative app stores on Android devices, mentioning plans to augment their functionality in the upcoming Android 14 release. Furthermore, Google will facilitate easier app updates through these alternative stores.
Regarding the practice of sideloading apps, where users can install apps from sources other than official app stores, Google aims to streamline this process. They also plan to update the language used to inform users about potential risks associated with downloading apps directly from the web for the first time.
Google also revealed its commitment to expanding user choice in billing methods. This involves allowing app and game developers to incorporate an alternative billing option alongside Google Play's billing system. Moreover, developers will have the ability to display diverse pricing options within their apps, enabling users to make more informed decisions prior to making a purchase.
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