Google Settles $700 Million Antitrust Lawsuit, Issues Refunds

Google has agreed to a $700 million settlement in an antitrust lawsuit, which accused the company of monopolizing the Android app economy by enforcing restrictions on rival app stores and requiring developers to use Google Play Billing for in-app purchases.

According to Breitbart News, this settlement allocates $630 million for consumer refunds, with eligible users set to receive a minimum of $2 based on their expenditures between August 16, 2016, and September 30, 2023.

Refunds will automatically be distributed via PayPal or Venmo, pending court approval on April 30, 2026. Users qualify if they purchased apps, in-app content, or subscriptions during the specified period and had a legal address in the U.S., Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, or the U.S.

Virgin Islands. Notices are being sent out in early December, and users can check their eligibility through their Google Play account. Meanwhile, the legal landscape for app store fees is shifting, as highlighted by CNET, which reported that Fortnite has returned to the Google Play Store following a legal battle with Google and Apple over similar app store fees.

This ongoing scrutiny of tech giants reflects the broader issues surrounding competition and market practices in the industry.