Google to Pay $700 Million Settlement, Brings Changes on Play Store With 50 States

Google is bound to pay a $700 million settlement and change how the company runs its Play Store in the United States.

Google Settles Another Lawsuit

In 2021, Google was sued by 50 state attorneys due to alleged monopolistic practices of the company. Two years later, the company finally settled the lawsuit and promised to give $700 million and adjustments to the Play Store.

The 68-page settlement states that $629 million will go to the consumers who have overpaid for apps or in-app purchases via Google Play. Meanwhile, $70 million will be given to the states and will be used according to the state attorney generals. Lastly, $1 million is attributed to the settlement administration.

Moreover, Google will be allowing Android devices to install third-party apps using other means aside from the Play Store in seven years. A user-choice billing will be added for developers for five years.

Google Play Store Landscape is About to Change

The settlement primarily focuses on giving consumers and developers the freedom to navigate their choices. The move will finally open a door for Android users to use third-party apps aside from Google Play.

The biggest difference probably is that for five years, Google will not be forcing companies to exclusively put Play Store on a phone or its home screen. For a long period, Android phones are by default installed with Google Play making it an automatic choice for them.

Recently, Google and Epic Games reached a settlement. However, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney called it an "injustice to all Android users and developers."

"I think they'd have gotten it if they'd stayed in the fight a few weeks longer to the overwhelming victory in court. An unfortunate outcome," he added.