Google faces £1bn UK lawsuit over alleged Play Store charges

Google is facing a legal claim worth more than £1 billion in Britain over allegations that it abused its dominant position in the mobile app market and imposed excessive charges on consumers.

The case, which has gone to trial at the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal, could affect millions of people who have purchased apps, games and digital subscriptions through Google Play.

The collective action has been brought on behalf of about 20 million UK consumers and businesses that bought products through the Google Play Store or Android devices between October 2015 and July 2026.

The claim alleges that Google charged app developers commissions of up to 30% on purchases made through the Play Store.

According to the claimants, developers passed some or all of those costs on to consumers through higher prices.

The case covers a wide range of digital purchases, including paid applications, subscriptions, gaming products, upgrades and in-app purchases.

For example, users who purchased digital items in games may have paid prices that included the commission charged by Google.

The legal action argues that Google used its dominant position in the mobile operating-system market to impose unfair terms on developers and consumers.

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Google has rejected the allegations and said it would defend its services vigorously.

The company has argued that Android provides consumers with greater choice than other mobile platforms because users can access different app stores and install applications through alternative routes.

Google has also said its Play Store fees are among the lowest in the market.

The case was launched in 2021 but has faced delays while other legal proceedings involving Google were dealt with.

Google’s parent company, Alphabet, agreed in September to pay £260 million to settle a separate class action brought on behalf of UK app developers.

The latest case is being led by consumer technology policy expert Liz Coll and represented by law firm Hausfeld.

Coll argues that consumers may have paid more for digital products because of the commissions charged through Google’s platform.

The case follows a major ruling involving Apple last year, when the Competition Appeal Tribunal found that the company had abused its dominant position by charging commissions on app sales and in-app purchases.

The Google case could therefore have significant implications for the technology industry if the tribunal finds against the company.

A ruling could affect how app-store commissions are structured and potentially influence prices paid by millions of consumers in Britain.

(itv)