Google agrees to pay $700 million in Play Store settlement

In an antitrust settlement with US states and consumers, Alphabet's Google has agreed to pay $700 million and permit more competition in its Play app store, according to terms revealed on Monday in a federal court in San Francisco.

The settlement, which still needs a judge's final approval, specifies that Google would pay $70 million into a fund that will be utilised by the states and $630 million into a fund for customers.

According to the settlement, qualifying users will get at least $2 and might receive more money depending on how much they spent on Google Play between August 16, 2016, and September 30, 2023.

Google was charged with overcharging customers by imposing illegal limitations on the distribution of software for Android smartphones and charging extortionate fees for in-app purchases. It did not acknowledge misconduct.

Prior to Google's associated trial with "Fortnite" creator Epic Games, the contents of the settlement were kept secret. Lead plaintiff Utah and other states revealed the settlement in September. Last week, a federal jury in California found in favour of Epic, finding that some aspects of Google's app store were anti-competitive.

Google promised to make it easier for customers to download apps straight from developers as part of the settlement.

Google is being sued in further cases that criticise its search and online advertising policies. However, it has denied any misconduct in those instances, according to Reuters.

(Sources: investing.com, reuters.com)