Coloradans will soon be able to receive their share of a $700 million settlement over Google’s game store monopoly. Here’s what you need to know to get your money.
All consumers who purchased items from the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023 and “were harmed by Google’s anticompetitive conduct” are eligible for part of the settlement, according to a from Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser’s office.
The settlement was first announced in December 2023, , but is still in the process of being approved.
“This settlement is a win for Coloradans and consumers across the country,” Weiser stated in the release. “We use our mobile devices more than any other form of technology. Google’s anticompetitive practices with the Play Store forced higher prices on consumers.”
Affected Coloradans began receiving notices about the settlement distribution process on Dec. 2. Eligible consumers do not have to submit a claim, and most will not need to take any further action to be paid.
Weiser and a sued Google in 2021, alleging the company unlawfully monopolized the Android app distribution and in-app payment processing market.
Google signed anticompetitive contracts to prevent other app stores from being preloaded on Android devices, bought key app developers who might have launched rival app stores, created technological barriers to deter consumers from directly downloading apps to their devices and imposed monopoly prices on in-app purchases, according to the lawsuit.
The court granted preliminary approval of the $700 million settlement on Nov. 20, triggering the notification process, according to Weiser’s office. A judge will decide whether to approve the final settlement in a hearing on April 30, 2026.
Once the settlement has been approved, consumers will receive an email from PayPal or a text from Venmo notifying them of their incoming payment at the email address or mobile phone number associated with their Google Play account.
If the phone number or email associated with the consumer’s Google Play is associated with a PayPal or Venmo account, then the payment will be made directly to that account. If not, consumers will have the option of creating an account or directing the payment to a different account.
There will be a after automatic payments are made for consumers who:
- Do not have an existing PayPal or Venmo account and do not want to sign up for PayPal or Venmo,
- No longer have access to the email address or mobile phone number associated with their Google Play account,
- Or were expecting to receive a payment but did not.
Google Play customers who do not want to receive payment from the settlement fund and want to bring their own case against Google must submit a request to be by Feb. 19, 2026. Consumers must also file any objections to the settlement by that date.
