SEATTLE — Washington state residents will receive a cut of a $700 million lawsuit against Google over the Play Store, Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Tuesday.
The lawsuit, filed by 37 states in July 2021, alleges that Google engages in anticompetitive practices in its app store, forcing Android developers to force users to pay the company’s “exorbitant fees.” The AG’s office has accused the company of forcing app price increases.
The complaint alleges that Google eliminated competition by:
- Prevent apps not available on the Play Store from advertising on the platform
- Imposing restrictions to prevent users from directly downloading apps
- Device manufacturers and mobile network operators will be rewarded for not creating app stores
- Prevent app store from being deleted
- Require all apps to use Google Play Billing, forcing users to “unknowingly” pay a 30% fee
As a result of the lawsuit, Google will have to pay a total of $700 million to the states. $630 million has been set aside for consumer reimbursements.
It is estimated that approximately $10.6 million will be distributed to Washington residents. Eligible residents will receive at least $2, plus from August 16, 2016 he will receive additional money based on his Google Play spending until September 30.
Washington residents do not need to file a claim, and payments will be automatically made directly to the PayPal or Venmo account associated with your Play Store account.
According to the AG’s office, an estimated 2.9 million Washington residents use phones that run on Google’s operating system.
“When companies act illegally, like monopolies, everyone loses the benefits of healthy competition,” Ferguson said. “People are facing higher prices and fewer choices. Small businesses are being shut out of the market or have no way to enter it at all. This resolution will stop Google from gaming the system and create a more equal It creates a field of competition.”
In addition to the $700 million payment, Google will have to make some corporate reforms and changes to the way it operates the Play Store.
Mr. Ferguson’s other two antitrust lawsuits against Google concern the tech giant’s online display advertising and search/search advertising markets.
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