Google Play Store £1bn compensation claim extended with trial date set for October

Around 20 million UK consumers could be included in the claim, with a deadline to opt out or opt in of 15 May 2026.

The £1 billion collective action against Google, which alleges consumers were overcharged in the Google Play Store, is heading to trial in October. The Competition Appeal Tribunal confirming the full trial will begin on 5 October 2026 in London.

Ahead of trial, the Tribunal has approved an extension to the claim period. It now covers purchases made on the UK Google Play Store between 1 October 2015 and 30 January 2026, meaning millions more consumers may now be included.

With the trial only months away, consumer technology expert Liz Coll, who is bringing the claim on behalf of consumers, said: 

“The Tribunal’s approval of the claim period extension means that even more consumers affected by the Google Play Store’s hidden fees are now represented in the case. With the trial only a few months away, the team is now busy preparing to hold Google to account for leaving millions of people out of pocket, and getting some long overdue consumer justice.”

Consumers don’t need to take action now to be included, but should be aware of the 15 May 2026 deadline to opt out or opt in.

Sign up to Consumer Voice to get clear, straightforward updates on this claim, what it could mean, and other consumer compensation claims.

About the Google Play Store claim

The claim is brought on behalf of around 20 million UK consumers and businesses who purchased apps, digital content or subscriptions through the UK Google Play Store on Android devices where it was pre-installed.

It alleges that Google has breached competition law by abusing its dominant market position, including by charging app developers up to 30% commission on digital purchases – costs that may have been passed on to consumers through higher prices. UK users of the Google Play Store may collectively be entitled to around £1 billion in compensation.

Liz Coll is represented by law firm Hausfeld & Co. LLP, and is funded by litigation funder Vannin Capital, meaning class members face no financial risk from participating.

The Apple ruling puts Google firmly in the spotlight

The trial comes as scrutiny of major technology companies and their digital marketplace practices is growing. Last year, the same Tribunal found that Apple breached competition law and overcharged UK consumers through its own 30% App Store commission. That ruling increased the focus on Google’s similar Play Store practices ahead of October’s trial.

Who is eligible and what you need to know

The claim applies to UK consumers and businesses who purchased apps, made in-app purchases or paid for subscriptions in the Google Play Store between 1 October 2015 and 30 January 2026. 

It does not apply to apps providing physical goods or services consumed outside of an app, such as Deliveroo or Uber, because these are not required to use Google’s in-app payment system.

There is an important deadline approaching. If you are UK-based, you are automatically included in the claim and do not need to take any action unless you want to opt out. If you want to opt, you must do so by 15 May 2026. 

If you are not resident in the UK on 30 January 2026 but made eligible purchases between 19 July 2022 and 30 January 2026, you will need to opt in by 15 May 2026.

If you do nothing, you will remain part of the claim if UK-based and will be bound by its outcome, meaning you won’t be able to bring a separate claim about the same issues.

Sign up to Consumer Voice to stay updated on what this claim could mean for you and how it progresses.