Google to pay $353 million to settle UK app developer lawsuit

Google has reached an agreement to pay £260 million, approximately $353 million, to settle a collective lawsuit brought by UK app developers. The lawsuit alleged that the technology company abused its market dominance on the Android platform and imposed excessive charges on developers selling applications through the Google Play Store.

The proposed settlement, announced on August 27, still requires approval from the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). The case was initiated by competition law professor Barry Rodger, who claimed Google restricted developers' ability to distribute apps outside the Play Store while charging commissions typically around 30%.

Google has not admitted liability as part of the settlement, stating it believes it has strong defenses against the claims. The agreement allocates £160 million to developers who sold apps via Google Play between August 2018 and July 2026, with the remaining £100 million designated for litigation costs. Developers with minimal Play Store revenue during the period will receive a fixed payment.

If approved by the CAT, the settlement would resolve a case previously valued at over £1 billion without a trial or a ruling on whether Google violated competition law. This case is part of a broader trend of collective competition lawsuits targeting major technology firms in the UK.