AG Jennings, coalition secure final approval in $700 million Google Settlement over app store monopoly

Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings has announced that a federal court will approve a $700 million settlement in a multistate antitrust lawsuit against Google. The lawsuit, first filed in 2021 by a bipartisan group of 52 Attorneys General, challenged Google's control over Android app distribution and in-app payments. The approval of the settlement ends a five-year case and secures relief for consumers nationwide who were affected by Google's actions.

The majority of the settlement funds will go directly to those who made purchases on Google Play between August 2016 and September 2023. Most recipients won't need to fill out a claim form and will receive their payments through PayPal or Venmo.

If consumers don't have access to PayPal or Venmo, they can file a claim through a separate process to receive their payment.

"For years, Google used its market dominance to establish a monopoly and take advantage of their customers," said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. "With this settlement, consumers will finally get the compensation that they're entitled to."

The settlement forces Google to update its business practices. For at least the next five years, app developers may use alternate payment systems, inform customers about lower prices outside Google's billing system, and list their apps on competing stores without fear of retaliation. Android users can download apps from outside the Play Store for at least the next seven years. Additional information about the lawsuit and settlement is available on the settlement website.

AG Jennings joined this effort alongside the attorneys general of: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.