Google Agrees to $700 Million Settlement in Play Store Dispute

Google has agreed to a $700 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit filed by US states and consumers over its Play Store. The settlement, reached in September, allocates $630 million to consumers and $70 million to a fund for states. The lawsuit claimed that Google held a monopoly over app distribution on Android through the Play Store. Google stated that the settlement supports Android's choice and flexibility while maintaining security measures. This follows Epic Games' victory in its three-year antitrust battle with Google, where a US jury found that Google's Play Store and billing service constituted an illegal monopoly. The settlement resolves the case between Google and the states, allowing both parties to move forward.

Key Points:

1. Google has agreed to a $700 million settlement in the US over a class action lawsuit related to its Play Store, with $630 million going to consumers and $70 million to a fund for states.

2. The settlement follows a legal dispute initiated in September by US states and consumers, accusing Google of having a monopoly on app distribution through its Play Store.

3. In a blog post, Google announced the payment breakdown, with $630 million allocated to a consumer settlement fund and $70 million to a fund for the benefit of states.

4. The lawsuit aimed to challenge Google's alleged monopoly on app distribution on Android, emphasizing the need for choice and flexibility in the Android ecosystem.

5. Google asserts that the settlement supports Android's choice and flexibility, maintains security measures, and allows fair competition with other operating system providers.

6. The resolution allows Google to continue investing in the Android ecosystem for the benefit of users and developers.

7. This settlement follows Epic Games' victory in an antitrust case against Google, where a US jury found Google guilty of turning its Play Store and Google Play Billing service into an illegal monopoly.

8. Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, filed the lawsuit in 2020, claiming that Google's Play Store practices violated US antitrust laws.

9. The settlement marks the end of a three-year legal battle between Google and Epic Games, concluding with a unanimous verdict by the US jury.

10. Google expressed satisfaction with resolving the case with states and looks forward to moving ahead with a settlement, emphasizing its commitment to competition and the Android ecosystem.

(With Agency Inputs)