US judge dismisses Google app store antitrust class action by Canadian users
A US judge dismissed a class action lawsuit alleging Google overcharged Canadian customers on the Google Play Store, citing US law's limited reach.Summary
A U.S. judge has dismissed a class action lawsuit brought by Canadian resident Connor Hurley, accusing Google of overcharging Canadian customers for apps and purchases made through the Google Play Store. Judge James Donato ruled that U.S. antitrust law does not apply to transactions occurring in Canada, citing the Foreign Trade Antitrust Improvements Act. The judge stated Hurley had not demonstrated any application of U.S. antitrust laws to conduct within Canada. The lawsuit argued that Google’s commissions led to inflated prices for Canadian consumers, mirroring claims made by Epic Games in a 2020 case. While Epic Games initially won a verdict against Google, the two companies have since reached a settlement pending approval. The court also dismissed Hurley’s related state claims under California laws, stating that Google’s terms of service could not extend the territorial reach of U.S. antitrust laws, and any enforcement questions must be resolved by Canadian courts.
(Source：Reuters)