Google to Pay $700 Million in Antitrust Settlement

Google has struck a deal to pay $700 million in connection with an antitrust lawsuit, which will allow millions of U.S. customers to claim refunds from the Play Store. Here’s how you can make a claim.

In a recent report, it’s noted that the lawsuit accused Google of stifling competition in the Android app marketplace. The allegations included preventing rival app stores from accessing Android devices and forcing many developers to utilize Google Play Billing for in-app purchases, all while imposing fees that could reach up to 30%. While Google denies any wrongdoing, asserting that Android remains “open,” they’ve opted to settle and will allocate $630 million for consumer refunds and $70 million for the states involved.

According to the settlement terms, each eligible user can expect a minimum refund of $2, with those who spent more through Google’s billing system potentially receiving higher amounts. To qualify, users should meet at least one of the following criteria:

• You bought an app or paid for in-app content/subscriptions using Google Play Billing.
• Your purchases were made between August 16, 2016, and September 30, 2023.
• Your Google Payments profile showed a legal address in the U.S., Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands during that period.

A notification will be sent to users in early December, and the deadline to opt out or voice any objections is set for February 19, 2026. If eligible for a refund, you won’t need to take any further action to receive your payment. A federal judge in San Francisco will review the settlement for approval on April 30, 2026. Once approved, refunds will be issued automatically via PayPal or Venmo, using the contact information linked to your Google Play account.

If you want to check if you’re eligible for a refund, here are some steps you can follow:

• Open Google Play on your Android device or in a web browser.
• Select Profile → Payments & Subscriptions → Budget & History.
• Review your purchase history for any paid apps, in-app items, subscriptions, or ad removal upgrades made between August 2016 and September 2023.
• Access your Google Payments profile (the Google Billing Hub).
• Make sure your legal address was within the relevant U.S. state or territory when you made those purchases.
• Check that the email address and phone number linked to your payments profile are current.
• If any details are outdated, please update them as Google will use this information to process payments.

When the settlement receives the judge’s approval, payment distribution will begin through PayPal and Venmo. If your login details match those accounts, funds will transfer automatically. If not, users will be notified and given options for receiving payment, which may include setting up an account with a valid email or number. An extra claims process exists for those preferring alternatives to PayPal or Venmo, losing access to their Google Play account details, or expecting payment but not receiving it.