Alphabet’s Google tentatively settled a class action filed by 21 million consumers alleging that it violated U.S. federal antitrust rules by overcharging customers on its U.S. Google Play Store, According to a court filing.
Consumers argued that if the supposed monopoly had not existed, they would have spent less money on applications and had more options. Google had previously denied any wrongdoing and declined to comment on the proposed payment.
According to the document, lawyers for Utah’s attorney general, the proposed class action plaintiffs, and Google urged the judge to cancel a trial scheduled for Nov. 6. The deal is subject to court approval.
The settlement’s specifics were not disclosed in the petition.
Consumer plaintiffs’ lawyers declined to comment on the proposed settlement, while a lawyer for plaintiffs from 38 states and the District of Columbia did not reply quickly to a request for comment.
The case is part of a larger antitrust dispute.
However, the proposed agreement does not address outstanding allegations against Google app store procedures brought by companies such as Epic Games and Match Group (MTCH.O). A Match spokesman declined to comment, and an Epic official did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The case is In re Google Play Store Antitrust Litigation, No. 21-md-02981, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
