The UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) approved a settlement of £260 million between Google and British developers in a class action over Play Store commissions and restrictions. The lawsuit accused the company of abusing its position in the Android app distribution market.
Of the total, £160 million will go to eligible developers. Another £100 million will cover funding of the action, insurance, legal fees and distribution costs.
The action represents companies and developers established in the UK that sold apps through the Play Store between August 2018 and July 2026. The plaintiffs alleged that Google restricted distribution alternatives and tied developers to the store's payment system, with commissions that reached 30% in certain transactions.
Google does not admit wrongdoing
Google did not admit liability or wrongdoing in the settlement, which ends the dispute before a trial on the merits of the allegations.
According to the action's representatives, the amount allocated to developers is the largest payment to class members ever approved by the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
The case increases legal pressure on app store rules. For mobile game publishers, commissions and restrictions on alternative payment methods directly affect the margin obtained from sales, subscriptions and in-app purchases.
