Google will pay $700 million in an antitrust settlement

Google has agreed to pay $700 million to settle an antitrust lawsuit in the United States related to restrictions on the distribution of Android apps. The tech giant promises to increase competition in its Play Store app marketplace.

According to the agreement, pending final approval by a judge, Google will pay $630 million into a consumer settlement fund, with an additional $70 million directed to a fund that will be used by authorities in U.S. states.

Consumers will receive a minimum of $2 and can claim additional payments based on their spending in the Play Store from August 16, 2016, to September 30, 2023. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands have joined this agreement.

The corporation was accused of inflating prices through restrictions on the distribution of apps on Android devices and excessive fees for transactions in its services.

Google stated that it is expanding opportunities for app and game developers by offering alternative billing methods for purchases. The company also mentioned that it has been testing a billing choice system for users in the United States for over a year. As part of the global agreement, Google pledged to simplify the process of app downloads directly from developers.

In the first half of December, Epic Games won a lawsuit against Google regarding Android app distribution monopolies. The court determined that Google has an unlawful connection between the Play Store and Google Play Billing. The distribution agreement Project Hug with game creators and deals with OEM manufacturers were recognized as anticompetitive.