Google Play Store Claim

You could be owed compensation for Google Play Store purchases

Around 20 million UK Android users could be owed money if a consumer claim against Google worth more than £1bn succeeds.

If you’ve ever paid for an app, game, subscription or something inside an app on an Android phone or tablet, you could be included in the claim – even if the app itself was free to download.

The claim alleges that Google restricted competition in the Google Play Store and charged app developers unfair and excessive commission of up to 30%. It argues that some of those charges were passed on to consumers through higher prices for apps, subscriptions, in-app purchases and other digital content.

If you made eligible purchases through the UK Google Play Store between 1 October 2015 and 31 July 2026, you could be included in the claim. The Competition Appeal Tribunal authorised the case to proceed as a collective action in 2022, and it has now reached trial.

Sign up for Consumer Voice alerts. Once you’ve signed up, we’ll also take you straight to the official Google Play Store claim website, where you can register for official updates from the claim team.

What is the Google Play claim about?

The claim alleges that Google used its position in the Android app market to restrict competition and charge unfair and excessive commission on purchases made through Google Play.

For many purchases, Google charged app developers commission of up to 30%. So, on a purchase subject to a 30% commission, £3 of every £10 went to Google. The claim alleges that technical and contractual restrictions made it difficult for developers to distribute apps or take payments in other ways.

It argues that at least some of these additional costs were passed on to consumers, meaning people paid more for apps and digital content than they otherwise would have.

The Tribunal has not yet decided whether Google broke competition law or whether consumers suffered a financial loss. Those issues are now being considered at trial.

Who could be included in the Google Play claim?

You could potentially be included if you:

• bought an app, subscription, digital content or service through the UK version of the Google Play Store
• made a purchase between 1 October 2015 and 31 July 2026
• made the purchase on an Android smartphone or tablet
• used a device where the Google Play Store was already installed.

If you didn’t have to download the Play Store yourself, it was probably pre-installed.

There are also UK residence rules, but most people living in the UK when they made their first eligible purchase should be covered. If you were living outside the UK, check the official claim website for the full rules.

What kinds of Google Play purchases could be included?

You may have spent money through Google Play without ever paying to download an app.

Lots of popular apps are free to install but charge for things such as monthly or annual subscriptions; premium features; extra lives, coins, gems, extra lives, power-ups or characters in mobile games; ad-free upgrades; digital content and services; or other purchases made inside an app.

Think of the kind of payments people make in apps such as TikTok, Tinder, Strava, Candy Crush, Duolingo, Roblox or ChatGPT. These apps offer subscriptions or in-app purchases through Google Play that can attract Google commission. Whether an individual purchase is covered depends on how you paid and whether it meets the claim rules.

Purchases of physical goods or services – such as food deliveries or taxi journeys – are generally not included. Purchases within Google’s own apps are also excluded.

Checking what you’ve spent on Google Play

It’s easy to forget the purchases you’ve made over the years, but Google keeps a purchase history linked to your Google account.

On an Android phone or tablet:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Tap your account or profile picture.
3. Select Payments and subscriptions.
4. Select Budget and history.

If you’ve used more than one Google account since October 2015, it is worth checking each one.

Who is bringing the claim against Google?

The claim is being brought by consumer technology expert Liz Coll on behalf of affected consumers and businesses.

Coll has spent much of her career working on consumer rights and technology, including roles at Citizens Advice, Consumer Focus and Consumers International. She is also a member of the Legal Services Consumer Panel.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal authorised her to act as the class representative for the Google Play Store claim in 2022.

Liz has instructed competition law specialists Hausfeld & Co LLP. The claim is funded by litigation funder Vannin Capital. If you are included in the claim, you do not have to pay to be included and will not be liable for Google’s costs if the claim is unsuccessful.

How much compensation could you get?

The claim is seeking more than £1 billion in compensation for around 20 million affected UK consumers.

Affected Android users could be owed up to £60 each if the claim succeeds. The amount any individual would actually receive would depend on whether the claim succeeds or settles, how damages are calculated and how the Tribunal approves their distribution.

What am I signing up for?

When you click Get Alerts, you will first sign up to receive Consumer Voice alerts about the Google Play Store claim. You will also receive updates about other major consumer compensation claims and consumer rights issues.

We’ll also take you straight to the official Google Play Store claim website, where you can register directly with the claim team.

Do I need to sign up to the Google Play claim?

Most UK consumers who meet the eligibility rules are automatically included in the claim unless they previously chose to exclude themselves. The deadline for UK class members to opt out was 15 May 2026.

Registering for updates is different. It means you can be contacted about important developments and, if compensation becomes available, told what you need to do to claim your share. By signing up to Consumer Voice, we’ll also help you understand what happens next and what you need to do.

Be wary of scams. You should never be asked to pay a fee or share your passwords. You do not need to provide bank details at this stage; if compensation becomes available, we will explain what information is needed and how to claim safely.

Why Consumer Voice is covering this claim

Consumer Voice is working with the team bringing the Google Play Store claim to help raise awareness among people who may be affected.

Our role is to help consumers understand what the claim is about, who could be included and what they may need to do as the case progresses. We never charge consumers for this work.

Consumer Voice is not bringing the legal claim and does not decide who is eligible for compensation.

What does the Google developer settlement mean for consumers?

A separate claim brought against Google on behalf of UK app developers has now settled. In September 2026, the Competition Appeal Tribunal approved a £260 million settlement in the claim brought by Professor Barry Rodger on behalf of app developers.

The settlement is not compensation for consumers and does not decide Coll’s separate consumer claim. This consumer case continues to trial.

FAQs: Google Play Store claim