Google is fighting a UK class action worth more than $1.33bn (£1bn) over the commissions it charges on the Play Store.
The trial began at London’s Competition Appeal Tribunal on October 6, according to Reuters.
The claim covers around 20m consumers who spent money on apps, in-app purchases or subscriptions on the Play Store between 2015 and July of this year.
Consumer advocate Liz Coll, who is leading the case, argues that Google abused its position in the market with commissions of up to 30%. Her lawyers say developers passed those costs on to consumers, and cite YouTube Premium as an example, where Google chose to pass on the commission Apple charged it for App Store sales.
Google and its parent company, Alphabet, is contesting the claim. A spokesperson said it ignores the choice Android gives consumers, and that Google charges “some of the lowest fees in the market”. Its lawyers insist the case is unfounded and that the Play Store faces strong competition from Apple’s App Store and other platforms.
The case follows similar UK claims against Apple and Sony over the App Store and PlayStation Store, which also involved commissions of up to 30%.
Google struck a worldwide deal with Epic Games in March, promising more billing options and lower developer fees. The pair had first proposed a settlement in November 2025.
Google has also faced regulatory pressure over the Play Store in Europe. In July, the European Commission fined it $1bn (€890m), partly over limits on how developers can steer players to payments outside the store.
