Google has reportedly agreed to settle the Play Store lawsuit filed against the company, which could result in some Google Play Store users receiving money from the settlement. If you’re not familiar with the case, that’s understandable, as it’s one of several cases involving Google in recent years.
This was specifically raised by New York Attorney General Letitia James and 53 other attorneys general. James and other parties completed the settlement in 2023. This week, James began informing New Yorkers about how they can claim any money they may be owed as part of this settlement. However, you do not have to be a New York resident to qualify for any refund. When the lawsuit was filed, James and other attorneys general alleged that Google monopolized app distribution, leading to customers paying more money for apps and in-app purchases. Google denies these claims but has agreed to the settlement.
The Google Play Store lawsuit settlement applies to the entire US
As ZDNet reports, this settlement applies to US residents in its entirety. This includes all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. That means there is a potential for many people to receive money. That said, how much people get depends on a number of factors. The amount mainly determines how many people are actually eligible to receive the money.
To qualify, all you had to do was make a purchase from the Play Store between 2016 and 2023. You must also be a US resident in the above locations. Those affected do not have to file a claim either. The money will be automatically deposited into a PayPal or Venmo account linked to the same account that was linked to the Google Play Store.
There is also one additional claims procedure. This is for people who don’t have one of these types of accounts or have the same phone number that was linked to the Google Play account during the mentioned period. Reportedly, every user who makes a purchase from the Play Store will receive at least $2 of the $700 million settlement. So the money received may not be much. However, these amounts may vary, so keep an eye on the details.
This is all subject to approval of the settlement. The settlement will be presented to a judge as part of a fairness hearing at the end of April next year.
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