You could be eligible for a payout from the Google Play store soon – here’s why
You may be eligible for a payout from Google after details of a recent lawsuit finally emerged.
In 2021, this was 36 US states and Washington DC sued the tech giant about “anti-competitive practices” taking place in the Google Play Store. They alleged that the company made it difficult for developers to distribute their apps on other platforms, discouraged users from using third-party stores, and even customers who pay too much. A settlement was reached between the two sides last September, although no one knew what it entailed until this week. Now, Google has agreed to pay “$630 million into a settlement fund” that will be distributed to 102 million “eligible consumers.” The company will also pay an additional $70 million into a separate fund that the affected states will use at their discretion.
Meeting certain criteria
The Washington Post explains in its report that eligible consumers must meet certain criteria before receiving funds. First, individuals must have a legal address in one of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands listed in their Google payments profile. Second, they must have purchased an app on Google Play or “made an in-app purchase… through Google Play Billing from August 16, 2016 (to) September 30, 2023.” Purchasing a subscription does count as an in-app purchase.
At the time of writing this article, it is unknown how and when eligible users will receive the payout. Details about this part of the deal should emerge once the courts formally approve Google's settlement. Again, it is unknown when this will happen.
Play Store changes
In addition to the payout, Google will be making several changes to the Play Store to make things less restrictive. Most notably, it simplifies app sideloading, where you install software onto your phone directly from the developer's website. And it will “update the language” around sideloading to better inform people about all the potential risks associated with performing this method. 9To5Google states that the refresh will merge certain warning screens.
The company also says it will expand User Choice Billing and offer an alternative billing method to Google Play's system. This has the added benefit that app developers can ultimately take home more money. No one knows exactly when these Play Store changes will go live. As with the payout, the update is subject to court approval of the final settlement.
Despite all this, Google is not out of the woods yet. Details about Google's other settlement with Epic Games are yet to be released so we can see additional changes in the Play Store. In addition, the US Department of Justice has passed its own legislation antitrust lawsuit against the technology brand back in September this year.
It will be a difficult year for Google. Check out Ny Breaking's list of the 10 best Android apps of 2023.