Lawsuit against Google begins in Britain on behalf of 20 million users

In the UK, main hearings began on October 6 in a class action against Google, seeking around £1.2 billion in compensation for approximately 20 million Play Store users.

The case is being heard by the British Competition Appeal Tribunal. The court has scheduled about eight weeks for the proceedings.

The lawsuit is led by consumer rights advocate Elizabeth Coll. It concerns UK users who, from October 1, 2015, to July 31, 2026, purchased paid apps, took out subscriptions, or made other purchases through the Google Play Store or on Android devices.

The claimants argue that Google abused its dominant position in the market for distributing Android apps. The company charged developers a commission that in some cases reached 30%, and the developers, according to the claimants, passed these costs on to buyers through higher prices.

The claims include spending on paid apps, in-app purchases, subscriptions to music, fitness, gaming, and dating services, as well as payments for removing ads or unlocking additional features.

According to Financial Times, if the claim succeeds, the average compensation could be around £60 per participant, though the actual amount will depend on the court's decision and the extent of proven overcharging.

The claim is structured as opt-out: users who meet the group's criteria do not need to file individual claims separately if they have not chosen to opt out of the collective proceedings.

Google denies the allegations. The company insists that Android gives users and developers greater choice than closed mobile ecosystems, and that Play Store fees apply only to a portion of transactions. Google also says its payment and app review systems help ensure user safety.

The court will have to determine, among other things, whether Google actually violated UK competition law, whether its commissions led to inflated prices, and how much of these costs developers actually shifted onto consumers.

The case is being heard together with a related proceeding on behalf of app developers. The Competition Appeal Tribunal notes that hearings began on October 6 and are expected to last about eight weeks.