Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Google Fights £1 Billion UK Lawsuit Over Play Store Fees
A big lawsuit against Google has started in London.
It is being brought for about 20 million people who paid for apps or app services through Google’s Play Store.
The purchases covered by the case happened from 2015 through July.
The claim is worth more than £1 billion.
Liz Coll’s lawyers say Google charged fees of up to 30%.
They say app makers may have passed those fees on to customers.
Google disagrees and says its fees are among the lowest in the market.
It also says people and app makers have other choices, including Apple’s App Store.
The court will consider the arguments in the case.
A mass consumer lawsuit against Google began at London’s Competition Appeal Tribunal on October 7.
The claim seeks more than £1 billion ($1.33 billion) on behalf of about 20 million consumers.
It covers Play Store app purchases, in-app purchases and subscriptions from 2015 through July.
Liz Coll’s lawyers allege Google charged commissions of up to 30% and that developers passed the costs to consumers.
Google disputes the claim, citing low fees and competition from Apple’s App Store and other platforms.
- Who
- Google is defending a claim led by consumer advocate Liz Coll on behalf of about 20 million consumers.
- What
- A consumer lawsuit alleges Google charged excessive Play Store commissions; Google contests the allegations.
- When
- The trial began Tuesday, October 7; the claim covers purchases from 2015 through July.
- Where
- London, at the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
- Why
- Claimants say Google used its dominant position to charge commissions of up to 30%; Google says the claim overlooks low fees and competition from alternative platforms.
Claimants’ position
Google’s position
Commissions and consumer costs
Claimants’ position
Coll’s lawyers allege Google used its dominant position to charge commissions of up to 30%, which app developers passed on to consumers.
Google’s position
Google disputes the allegations and says it charges some of the lowest fees in the market.
Competition and choice
Claimants’ position
The claim argues Google abused its dominant position in Play Store transactions.
Google’s position
Google’s lawyers say Android users and developers face strong competition from Apple’s App Store and other alternative platforms.
- Claim value
- More than £1 billion ($1.33 billion)
- Consumers represented
- About 20 million
- Claim lead
- Consumer advocate Liz Coll
- Purchase period
- 2015 through July
- Alleged commission
- Up to 30%
- Court
- Competition Appeal Tribunal, London
- Google’s response
- Google says its fees are among the lowest in the market and cites competition from Apple’s App Store and alternative platforms
