Google will be forced to make some changes to the Play Store following the $700 million settlement made with the states.
Earlier this morning we updated a story we wrote on Monday evening about the $700 million settlement that Google parent Alphabet made with 50 states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories. Among the issues was the 15%-30% cut that Google takes on in-app purchases made in the Play Store and the complexity of sideloading on Android. While the settlement was originally agreed to in September, the terms of the agreement were announced yesterday.
Play Store shoppers between 2016-2023 could be entitled to at least $2 each from the settlement
$630 million of the settlement will be handed out to consumers who will receive at least $2 each based on the amount of money they spent in the Play Store between Aug. 16, 2016, and Sept. 30, 2023. $70 million goes to the states for penalties, restitution, disgorgement, and fees.
Big-time changes are coming to the Google Play Store thanks to the $700 million settlement between Alphabet and the States
Google also promised to make changes to the Play Store and based on court documents (via 9to5Google) we have an idea of what to expect. One of the possible changes will run for at least five years from the effective date and allow consumers to choose between using an alternative in-app billing system provided by the app developer or Google’s in-app payment processing platform when paying for the purchase of in-app digital goods and services.
