$700 Million-Dollar Google Lawsuit Will Pay WA Android Consumers How Much?!?
In 2021, nearly every US State and WA D.C. sued Google over an alleged excessive control over Android app distribution and other issues.
Suit Has Been Settled, Some WA Residents Getting Money?
The WA State Attorney General's Office announced on August 18th, the $700 million dollar settlement will result in $13 million going to WA consumers.
The lawsuit was filed, according to the AG's Office, because Google illegally 'acquired' excessive control over Android app downloads, distribution, and overcharging consumers as much as 30 percent per transaction.
Now, The Terms of the Settlement Have Been Released
"The settlement forces Google to change its business practices. For at least five years, app developers may use alternate payment systems, inform customers about lower prices outside Google's billing system, and list their apps on competing stores without fear of retaliation. Android users can download apps from outside the Play Store for at least seven years"--from the WA State Attorney General's Office.
How Do you Know if you are eligible? If you made payments to the Google Play Store or Google Play Billing between August 16th of 2016 and September 30th of 2023, you could be due some cash.
The $13 million in WA state will be divided among 2.4 million eligible consumers. The AG's Office says most consumers will not have to fill out any paperwork, the funds will be distributed via PayPay or Venmo. For consumers who don't have either, they can get information about obtaining their refund by clicking here.
So, in WA What's the Payout?
The estimated 2.4 million eligible recipients in WA, assuming those who don't have PayPal or Venmo file a claim, will each receive roughly $5.40. That's right, $5.40.
Well, it's enough for a small mocha at your favorite espresso stand...!
