Google announces that it will pay over 100 billion yen in Google Play antitrust lawsuit
On December 19, 2023, local time, Google reached a settlement in an antitrust lawsuit related to the mobile app store Google Play. Google has announced that it will pay $700 million (about 100 billion yen) as a settlement.
Reaffirming choice and openness on Android and Google Play
https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/public-policy/reaffirming-choice-and-openness-on-android-and-google-play/
Google says it will pay $700M as a part of Play Store dispute settlement | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/18/google-says-it-will-pay-700m-as-a-part-of-play-store-dispute-settlement/
All the changes coming to Google Play and sideloading following $700M settlement | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/19/all-the-changes-coming-to-google-play-and-sideloading-following-700m-settlement/
Google to pay $700 million and make tiny app store changes to settle with 50 states - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/23994177/google-states-ag-google-play-antitrust-settlement
In July 2021, the attorneys general of 36 U.S. states and the District of Columbia (Washington, DC) ruled that Google's effectively restricting the distribution of Android apps to only Google Play violates antitrust laws. I filed a lawsuit.
``Google's Play Store charges too much fees'' sued by 36 states and Washington DC - GIGAZINE
Google reached a tentative settlement in this case in September 2023 and announced details of the settlement on December 19, 2023. Google plans to pay $630 million (about 90 billion yen) to a settlement fund that will be distributed as a benefit to consumers and $70 million (about 10 billion yen) to a fund to be used by each state.
Google began piloting a user-chosen payment program in November 2022, and has also announced that it will expand the program in the United States as part of the settlement. According to Google, developers will be able to charge various costs within their apps based on the payment method chosen by their customers.
Google also announced that it will further simplify the sideloading process on Android. Along with this, Google also said it would update its language to inform users about the potential risks of sideloading apps.
At the time of writing, if you try to sideload an app on Android, a pop-up notification with warning text will be displayed. This pop-up takes users to a settings screen to install apps from unknown sources. As part of this settlement, Google will be required to integrate these screens. In addition, it seems that Google will need to maintain the new sideloading process for at least five years.
Here's how Google will simplify sideloading in Android.
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) December 19, 2023
As part of a proposed class action lawsuit settlement, Google said it will revise the default sideloading flow in Android. Here's exactly what they're changing:
1) The pop-up with the text 'For your security, your phone… pic.twitter.com/ao3YoqeUMN
Elsewhere, Google allows third-party app stores on Android, allowing smartphone OEMs to preload their own app stores. Google has announced that it plans to expand this initiative as well, supporting 'installation of Android apps from outside of Google Play through a variety of methods, including third-party app stores, for at least seven years.' Android 14 also already includes improved control over third-party app stores via API.
Epic Games, which has filed its own lawsuit alleging that Google violates antitrust laws, said of the settlement, ``This lawsuit does not provide true relief to consumers or developers, but rather is a one-time lawsuit.'' They just get paid as much as they can.'
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