Google Agrees to $700 Million Antitrust Settlement with US State Attorneys General

Google has reached a $700 million antitrust settlement with attorneys general from US states. The settlement, which was finalized in September, has now been made public and includes several key changes to the Google Play store. The case, initially filed in July 2021, alleged that Google was unfairly dominating the Android market with its Play store. As part of the settlement, Google will introduce changes to its Play store over the next five years, including allowing developers to use alternative payment systems and promoting competing prices. Users will also be informed of better prices available on other apps. Additionally, third-party apps will be permitted to be installed from other stores for a period of seven years. Google will also simplify the process of sideloading for developers and allow certain apps, such as Netflix, to notify users of more competitive pricing without redirecting them to an external website. The settlement dictates that Google will pay $629 million to consumers who overpaid for apps and in-app purchases, $70 million to the state attorneys general, and $1 million in administrative costs. According to Wilson White, Google's VP of government affairs and public policy, the settlement 'builds on Android's choice and flexibility, maintains strong security protections, and retains Google's ability to compete with other OS makers, and invest in the Android ecosystem for users and developers.' This development comes on the heels of Google's loss in an antitrust trial against Epic Games, in which a jury ruled that Google Play constitutes an illegal monopoly. Google plans to appeal the verdict.