By Lee Allen Miller
In the Forest Country, we believe in a fair shake. Whether you’re selling timber, running a small business, or just trying to download an app on your phone, the rules should be the same for everyone. When big corporations try to tilt the playing field, it costs us all.
This week, the State of Texas joined a coalition of 52 other attorneys general to finalize a $700 million settlement with Google. The agreement resolves allegations that the tech giant violated antitrust laws by monopolizing the market for Android app distribution, effectively locking consumers into their ecosystem and driving up costs.
If you made purchases on the Google Play Store between 2016 and 2023, you might have money coming your way.
The Settlement Details
The investigation, led by state regulators across the country, found that Google used anticompetitive contracts to stop folks from downloading apps directly to their devices. This forced consumers to use the Google Play Store and its payment processing, limiting choice and keeping prices artificially high.
The Attorney General’s office released a statement this week confirming the settlement, noting that it penalizes the company for “breaking the law” and aims to restore competition in the marketplace.
How to Claim Your Share
For many of you, the process to get your money back will be automatic.
Affected consumers—specifically those who made purchases on the Google Play Store between August 16, 2016, and September 30, 2023—should keep a close watch on their inboxes. You will receive an email from PayPal or a text from Venmo notifying you of an incoming payment. These notifications will go to the email address or mobile number tied to your Google Play account.
If your Google Play contact info matches your existing PayPal or Venmo account, the funds will land there automatically. If not, or if you don’t use those services, you’ll have the option to create an account or direct the money elsewhere.
Important Deadlines
While the settlement is finalized, there are still a few dates to keep on your calendar:
- Now: Watch for notifications from PayPal or Venmo.
- February 19, 2026: This is the deadline to opt-out if you wish to exclude yourself from the settlement (perhaps to file your own lawsuit) or to file a written objection.
- April 30, 2026: The court will hold a final hearing to approve the settlement.
There will also be a supplemental claims process later for those who miss the automatic payment or don’t use PayPal or Venmo. If you want to stay in the loop on that, you can submit your details on the official settlement website.
A Win for Consumers
In a world where global corporations often seem untouchable, this settlement is a reminder that consumer protection laws still carry weight. $700 million is a hefty penalty, and a significant portion of that is coming back to the people who were overcharged.
So, check your emails, folks. It’s not every day you get a refund from a tech giant.
