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53 State AGs Secure $700M Google Play Store Monopoly Settlement

Google LLCDecember 1, 2023Connecticut Attorney General

Penalty Amount

$700,000,000

Summary

Attorney General William Tong announced details for consumers to receive restitution from a $700 million antitrust settlement with Google. The settlement, secured in December 2023 by a coalition of 53 attorneys general, addresses Google's monopoly in the Google Play Store that led to inflated fees for consumers. Eligible consumers who made purchases between August 2016 and September 2023 will receive automatic payments via PayPal or Venmo.

Remedy

Google must pay $700 million to eligible consumers and modify its Play Store practices to end anticompetitive behavior, such as reducing fees and allowing more competition.

Monetary PenaltyConsent Decree

Contract Impact

In-house legal teams should review vendor agreements with app stores and digital platforms for clauses that may facilitate anticompetitive behavior, such as exclusive dealing, high commission fees, or restrictions on competition. They should ensure contracts comply with antitrust laws and consider the implications of this settlement on standard terms, including fee structures and market access provisions.

Contract Search Terms

app store monopolyin-app purchase feesantitrust complianceplatform competitionvendor agreementsfee structuresexclusivity clausesconsumer restitutionsettlement claimsGoogle Play Store

Violation Types

Entity Details

Entity

Google LLC

Also known as: Google

Industry

Technology

Multistate Coalition

Official Sources

Source Evidence

Entity Name
"settlement with Google"
Fine Amount
"$700 million settlement"
Violation Types
"unlawfully maintained a monopoly over mobile app distribution and in-app payment processing for Android devices, and used its monopoly power to charge consumers as much as 30 percent in fees for purchasing apps and making in-app purchases."

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