Google is facing a class-action lawsuit in London at the Competition Appeal Tribunal. The plaintiffs allege that the company has maintained a dominant market position for over a decade, charging developers a 30% commission on Android transactions.
According to the legal filing, these fees led to inflated prices for digital goods and services. The claim covers approximately 20 million British consumers who have used the Play Store since 2015. The total compensation sought is £1,2 billion, which is equivalent to $1,596 billion.
The lawsuit claims that Google utilized its market power to set unfair prices and generate excess profits. Google has officially denied these allegations of anti-competitive behavior.
Regulators worldwide are increasing scrutiny of mobile app stores. The UK's Competition and Markets Authority previously identified a duopoly between Apple and Google in the mobile platform market, prompting new regulatory measures.
The tech industry faces ongoing legal challenges regarding app store policies. In 2024, the EU fined Google €430 million for restricting alternative payment methods. Similar legal actions and fines have been directed at Apple in both the EU and the UK.
