A more than 1 billion pound class action against Google began at the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal on Tuesday, in one of the biggest consumer claims in British legal history.
The claim, led by consumer tech policy expert Liz Coll, alleges that hidden charges were built into prices on purchases made through the Google Play Store between October 2015 and July 2026. Around 20 million UK consumers and businesses are automatically included in the opt-out collective action, making it one of the largest group claims ever brought in this country.
At the heart of the case is Google's commission of up to 30 per cent on app sales, in-app purchases and subscriptions. The claim argues that Google abused its dominant position in the Android app market, that developers passed the cost on to consumers through higher prices, and that millions of people paid more than they should have for apps, games and subscriptions without knowing a hidden charge was built into the price.
Coll said the trial was about getting that money back for people who use their phones and apps every day. The claim, first brought in 2021 and represented by law firm Hausfeld, seeks more than 1 billion pounds in damages. Some coverage has suggested successful claimants could receive around 60 pounds each. The seven-week trial is scheduled to run until November 20, and consumers covered by the claim do not need to do anything or pay anything to be included.
Google denies the allegations and says it will defend its services vigorously. A spokesman said Android gave people more choice than any other mobile platform and that Play offered some of the lowest fees in the market, arguing the lawsuit ignored that choice and the competitive market in which the company operates.
The case follows a similar action against Apple, in which the tribunal found the iPhone maker had abused its dominant position with excessive App Store commissions. Google recently settled a separate developer claim over Play Store commissions for 260 million pounds. The consumer trial will now decide whether 20 million Britons are owed money back, in a verdict that could reshape the economics of the app economy.
The tribunal's decision will have implications far beyond the claimants in this case. If Google is found to have abused its dominant position, it could face pressure to change how the Play Store operates, potentially opening the door to alternative app stores and payment systems. The tech giant has already made concessions in some markets, but has resisted fundamental change. Consumer groups say the case is a test of whether competition law can deliver real redress for ordinary people in the digital age.