SEATTLE, WA — The Washington Attorney General’s Office has issued new instructions for consumers who may be eligible for payments from a $700 million settlement with Google, part of a multistate case alleging the company illegally maintained a monopoly over the Google Play Store. The settlement, reached in 2023 by Washington and 52 other attorneys general, still requires final court approval.
Attorney General Nick Brown said the updated guidance is intended to ensure Washingtonians understand how to receive money owed to them. “Washington will always stand up to corporate monopolies to protect consumers and entrepreneurs from unfair practices,” Brown said in the announcement. “No one is above the law. We are proud to deliver this money for Washingtonians and encourage anyone eligible for this settlement to make sure you get what you deserve.”
Consumers who made purchases through the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023 and were harmed by the alleged anticompetitive conduct may qualify for compensation. Notices about the payment process began going out on Dec. 2, 2025, and most affected consumers will not need to file a claim. Payments will be processed automatically.
Once the settlement receives final court approval, compensation will be distributed via PayPal or Venmo using the email address or phone number connected to a consumer’s Google Play account. If the contact information corresponds to an existing PayPal or Venmo account, the payment will post directly; if not, consumers may create an account or redirect the payment to another one. A supplemental claims process will be offered later for individuals who do not wish to use these payment platforms, no longer have access to their Google Play account contact information, or believe they should have received a payment but did not.
Consumers who want to opt out of the settlement and pursue their own case against Google, or who want to file an objection, must do so by Feb. 19, 2026. The court will hold a final approval hearing on April 30, 2026.
Additional information, including eligibility details and notification sign-ups, is available on the official settlement website, though access may be limited for users connected through a VPN.
