The U.S. District Court in California, on Wednesday, fined Google $700 million for monopolising Android app distribution and in-app payment processing through the Google Play Store.
The fine resulted from a multistate lawsuit filed by 53 attorneys general across U.S. states and came after about five years of litigation.
The aggrieved plaintiffs alleged that Google restricted competing app stores, discouraged developers of alternative apps, and made downloading apps outside the Google Play Store difficult.
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said in a statement that about $13 million of the total settlement would be refunded to the state’s consumers, adding that an estimated 2.4 million individuals would be eligible to receive a refund.
“Most of the settlement funds will go directly to people who made purchases on Google Play between August 2016 and September 2023. Most recipients won’t need to fill out a claim form and will receive their payments through PayPal or Venmo,” he said.
Mr Brown said his office fulfilled what he described as one of its core responsibilities: protecting residents from monopoly.
“When giant companies gain an illegal stranglehold on a market, we take action and deliver relief for consumers,” Mr Brown said.
“Fighting monopolies is one of our office’s core responsibilities, and I’m proud that millions of Washingtonians will now get refunds because of our litigation,” he added.
Also reacting, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes faulted Google for using its monopoly power over the app market to drive up prices.
“With this settlement, we’re saying loud and clear that anticompetitive conduct like this will not be tolerated,” Ms Mayes said.
“A competitive, fair marketplace promotes lower prices, higher quality goods and services and more options for consumers. My office will continue to go after illegal and unfair business practices to protect Arizonans,” she added.