Google Settles Play Store Dispute, Agrees to $700M Payout
Karobar
In a recent announcement, Google revealed its agreement to pay $700 million as part of a settlement over the Play Store, with $630 million allocated to U.S. consumers and $70 million to a fund for U.S. states. This resolution stems from a class action lawsuit initiated in 2021 by U.S. states and consumers, focusing on Google's monopoly in Android app distribution through the Play Store.
The settlement, initially reached in September, has now disclosed details, shedding light on Google's pledge to enhance user choice in billing methods for in-app purchases. Following a pilot program initiated in November 2022, Google plans to expand this program in the U.S., allowing developers to display varying costs based on the chosen billing method.
Addressing concerns about sideloading, Google commits to streamlining the process. The company will combine warning pop-ups and settings screens into a unified flow, maintaining this simplified sideloading process for at least five years as part of the settlement.
Wilson White, VP of Government Affairs & Public Policy at Google, emphasized the commitment to user safety while acknowledging the need to simplify sideloading. Google will update language to inform users about potential risks associated with downloading apps directly from the web.
Here's how Google will simplify sideloading in Android.
As part of a proposed class action lawsuit settlement, Google said it will revise the default sideloading flow in Android. Here's exactly what they're changing:
1) The pop-up with the text "For your security, your phone… pic.twitter.com/ao3YoqeUMN — Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) December 19, 2023
Google highlighted Android 14's role in easing the app upgrade process, providing more controls for third-party app stores through an API. Notably, this development comes amid Google's loss in an antitrust battle with Epic Games. While Google plans to appeal, it reiterated in a blog post that the case is "far from over."
During the trial, Google's deals with companies like Spotify, exempting them from Play Store commissions on in-app purchases, were exposed. Despite the settlement, Epic Games, involved in the antitrust case, expressed skepticism, stating that the payment brings "no true relief" to consumers. Epic Games intends to pursue "meaningful remedies" in the ongoing case to open up the Android ecosystem.
