Google has agreed to pay £260 million ($353.21 million) to settle a mass lawsuit brought on behalf of app developers in the United Kingdom over its Google Play Store practices.
The proposed settlement, published on Thursday, brings an end to a legal dispute that had previously sought more than £1 billion in compensation from the technology giant.
The case was brought by academic Barry Rodger on behalf of app developers who sold applications through Google’s Play Store in the UK, with lawyers accusing the company of abusing its dominant position in the mobile app market.
The claim alleged that Google restricted developers from distributing their apps through alternative channels while imposing unfair commissions on sales made through the Play Store, with the standard commission generally set at about 30%.
The lawsuit had been scheduled to go to trial next month at London’s Competition Appeal Tribunal, but the proposed settlement means the case will now be resolved without a full trial if the tribunal approves the agreement.
Rodger said he had reached the proposed settlement with Google on Thursday, stressing that the company had made no admission of liability or wrongdoing.
Under the 19-page agreement filed with the tribunal, Google maintains that it has strong defences against the allegations made in the lawsuit.
Rodger described the proposed settlement as a major outcome for app developers, saying it would provide financial compensation to businesses that would otherwise have struggled to take on a company as large as Google in court.
“If approved, meaningful financial compensation will become available for businesses that could never have taken on a company like Google alone,” Rodger said.
Google had not immediately responded to a request for comment.
Under the terms of the agreement, £160 million will be set aside for app developers that sold an app through the Google Play Store between August 2018 and July 2026.
Another £100 million will be available to cover the costs associated with bringing and funding the lawsuit.
The settlement still requires approval from the Competition Appeal Tribunal before payments can be made to eligible developers.
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The case is part of a growing wave of legal challenges against major technology companies over the fees and rules they impose on businesses operating through their digital platforms.
The UK has seen several major competition-related lawsuits against technology companies since the beginning of 2025, including cases involving Apple, Qualcomm and Sony.
The legal action against Google centres on the way its Play Store operates as a major distribution platform for mobile applications, particularly the commissions developers pay when they sell apps or digital products through the service.
The proposed settlement could therefore provide compensation to thousands of businesses while also adding to wider scrutiny of the market power held by major technology companies over app distribution and digital payments.
Google, however, has not accepted the allegations against it and would avoid a finding of wrongdoing if the proposed agreement is approved by the tribunal.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
