Google has settled a lawsuit accusing it of creating a monopoly and raising consumer prices. The tech giant will pay a total of $700 million, with $630 million allocated for consumer payouts.
Approximately 102 million individuals affected by Google’s alleged monopoly practices may be eligible to receive compensation.
Notably, around 70% of fully eligible individuals, roughly 71.4 million people, might automatically receive compensation without taking any action.
This settlement is a common resolution in class-action lawsuits, where a large group of affected individuals collectively sues a company and may receive compensation pending court approval.
Who is eligible to receive the money?
Individuals eligible to receive money from Google’s settlement are those with a “legal address” in the US in their Google payment profile, having made app purchases or in-app payments between August 16, 2016, and September 30, 2023, in any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands. Eligible recipients can anticipate an email notification, and around 70% will automatically receive payments, with a minimum of $2 per person, depending on app spending during the specified period.
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The notification email will be sent to the email address linked to the user’s Google Play Store account. For those with connected PayPal or Venmo accounts, payments are likely to be processed through these platforms, accompanied by a confirmation email. Individuals eligible for larger payments who did not receive funds through these methods can expect payment via check.
As for the remaining 30% of eligible individuals, the process for claiming money is currently unclear. Typically, a dedicated website is established for eligible individuals to file claims and request payment. Those falling into this category should stay vigilant for updates or instructions on how to claim the money.
