Google today announced that it will pay $700 million in a Play Store settlement reached in September, including $630 million to U.S. consumers and $70 to a fund to be used by U.S. states.
In September, the company reached a tentative settlement in a class action lawsuit originally brought by U.S. states and consumers in 2021. However, the search giant released details of the settlement today.highlighted complaints Google has a monopoly on app distribution on Android Via the Play Store.
In November 2022, Google began piloting a user-choice billing program in the United States, allowing developers to use alternative payment methods for in-app purchases. The company announced today that it will expand its domestic program as part of the settlement. Google says developers will be able to display different costs for in-app purchases based on the billing method a customer chooses.
The company too Said He said the sideloading process will be streamlined, without providing any details about the new process. However, the company emphasized that it plans to change its messaging regarding sideloading.
“While we maintain that it is important to our safety efforts to inform users that sideloading on mobile can carry unique risks, as part of the settlement we will further strengthen the process of sideloading.” We’re simplifying and updating our language to inform users about the potential risks of downloading.”For the first time, apps are available directly from the web,” said Wilson White, vice president of government affairs and public policy at Google. I am.
Google pointed out that blog post I also made Android 14 Easier app upgrade process More control over third-party app stores via API.
This development comes as Google lost an antitrust battle with Epic. Google plans to appeal the ruling, reiterating in a blog post today that it “disallows the choice and competition our platform enables,” but the case is “not over yet.”
The trial revealed Google’s dealings with the following companies: spotifythere are no fees for in-app purchases on the Play Store.
Source: techcrunch.com
