Google accused of 'Anticompetitive Practices' in $700M play store settlement: Are you getting paid?

Many Android users across the U.S. may soon get money from Google without filing a claim, thanks to a $700 million settlement linked to the Google Play Store. New details about the payout were shared this week, and people are being told to check their email to see if they’re eligible.

The settlement comes from a 2023 lawsuit brought by several U.S. states, which argued that Google used “anticompetitive practices” in its Play Store that affected prices for millions of users from August 2016 to September 2023.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield explained why the states pursued the case. In his statement on Tuesday, he said, “This case was never just about app purchases, it was about what happens when a company quietly controls the choices and prices that millions of people rely on every day. This settlement begins to unwind that.” (Source: Oregon AG Dan Rayfield’s official statement, Dec. 10)

Google, when it agreed to the settlement in 2023, said it disagreed with the claims but believed the deal “maintains Android’s choice and flexibility” while letting the company continue investing in its ecosystem.

According to the official notice, anyone in the U.S. who made purchases on the Google Play Store, Between Aug 2016 to Sept 2023 and was affected by Google’s pricing practices is eligible and… may receive a payment.

Google agreed to pay $630 million in consumer restitution and $70 million in penalties. Emails to eligible users started going out on Dec. 2, according to Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield’s office. In most cases you don't need to file a claim.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said that payments will be sent out automatically if the email or phone number on your Google Play account matches one on an active PayPal or Venmo account.

If the email or phone number does NOT match, users will get instructions on how to create a new PayPal or Venmo account, or direct the payment to a different account. After automatic payments are sent, the states will open a supplemental claims process for people who don’t use PayPal or Venmo, no longer have access to their Google Play email and believe they were supposed to be paid but weren’t. The states have provided an official signup form for those who want to be notified when the supplemental claims process begins. (Source: Oregon Department of Justice)

A federal judge will review the settlement on April 30, 2026. If the court approves it, payments will start going out afterward. This means that the payouts may not be huge for every person, but the settlement still covers millions of U.S. consumers, making it one of the largest Google Play related settlements to date. For many families, even a small unexpected payment can make a difference.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said the goal of the lawsuit was to protect everyday users, “This work is about giving families and small businesses a voice, and making sure this doesn’t happen again.”

With emails already rolling out, U.S. Android users are encouraged to check the inbox linked to their Google Play account to see if they qualify.