How to get a piece of the $700M Google settlement
A $700 million settlement with Google will provide automatic payments to consumers who made purchases through the Google Play Store between 2016 and 2023.Summary
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and a coalition of 52 other attorneys general have secured a $700 million settlement with Google, addressing allegations of anticompetitive practices within the Google Play Store. The settlement aims to compensate consumers who were affected by Google’s control over app choices and pricing. Most eligible consumers—those who made purchases through the Google Play Store between August 16, 2016, and September 30, 2023—will receive payments automatically via PayPal or Venmo, using the email or phone number associated with their Google Play account.
According to Rayfield, the case was about “what happens when a company quietly controls the choices and prices that millions of people rely on every day.” Google maintains that Android and Google Play have evolved to provide more flexibility and choice, and expressed disappointment with the initial verdict in a related case with Epic Games.
A supplemental claims process will be available for those without PayPal or Venmo accounts, those who have changed their associated email or phone number, or those who did not receive their expected payment. The state attorneys general argue that Google’s practices drove up the cost of apps and in-app purchases and misled consumers regarding app download risks and billing policies. Google denies any wrongdoing, but notifications about settlement payments began on December 2nd.
(Source：Fox Business)