Google has agreed to pay £260 million ($353 million) to settle a collective lawsuit filed by UK app developers accusing the company of abusing its position in the Android app market. The settlement was announced on August 27 and awaits approval from the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). The lawsuit alleged Google overcharged developers selling apps through the Google Play Store and restricted alternative app distribution methods.
The case was brought by competition law professor Barry Rodger on behalf of UK app developers, with the claim initially valued at over £1 billion. Rodger filed the collective case in August 2024, and the CAT certified it as a collective proceeding in May 2025, allowing Rodger to represent the developer class. The parties exchanged evidence and expert reports ahead of a trial scheduled for September 28, 2026. Google has not admitted liability or wrongdoing as part of the settlement and maintains it has strong defenses against the claim.
The lawsuit focused on Google's imposition of commissions typically set at 30% on app sales through the Play Store and restrictions on developers' ability to distribute apps via alternative platforms. The settlement allocates £160 million to developers who sold apps through the Play Store, with the remainder designated for other affected parties. This case highlights ongoing regulatory scrutiny of major tech companies' app store practices, similar to other global legal challenges faced by Google.
The settlement agreement and distribution plan are publicly accessible, and the CAT's approval will determine the final resolution. The trial was set for late September 2026, but the settlement could preempt the court proceedings, concluding a dispute that has spanned over two years.