Represented Claimants
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Have you spent money in the Google Play Store?
If so, you may be entitled to compensation.
What is this website for?
This website explains the legal claim brought by Liz Coll against Google. Liz alleges that Google has contravened competition law. Liz’s claim is an opt-out collective claim, which means that she automatically represents all those who fit the class definition, who are called class members. If you have spent money in the Google Play Store, then you are likely included as a class member represented by Liz.
The claim
Liz is claiming that Google has breached competition law by excluding competition and/or charging an unfair and excessive level of commission - as much as 30% - on purchases of paid apps and in-app purchases of digital content, services and subscriptions in the Google Play Store.
What does this mean for you?
If you (or your business) have purchased an app, in-app content, services or subscriptions through the UK version of the Google Play Store on your Android smartphone or tablet since 1 October 2015 you (or your business) are likely automatically included as class members and represented by Liz, (unless you chose to opt out of the claim), and may be eligible for compensation if the case is successful.
If you meet the class definition and want to stay up to date, click the “Stay Up to Date” button below.
About Us
Liz Coll
Liz is a consumer tech policy expert with over thirteen years’ experience of campaigning for consumers’ rights online. At Citizens Advice and Consumer Focus she led work on critical issues for consumers in the digital world like data privacy, smart home devices and online reviews. She went on to establish a global digital programme at Consumers International, where she led advocacy and research into e-commerce, consumer internet of things, AI, data privacy and the impact of platforms on consumers’ access to choice, redress and fair treatment. She has represented consumer interests at national and global policy forums including the OECD and the G20. As an independent consultant, she works with international policy makers, consumer groups and standards setters, sits on EU technology standards committees and is a strategic advisor to the UK’s Consumer and Public Interest Network. As of January 2024, Liz is also an appointed member of the LSB Legal Services Consumer Panel.
Passionate about creating a safe and fair digital world where consumers come first, Liz has been authorised by the Competition Appeal Tribunal to represent all users of the Play Store (including businesses) who may have been overcharged by Google. If successful, every member of the class may be entitled to a share of any compensation.
Liz represents all persons (including businesses) who purchased for themselves or on someone else’s behalf an app, digital content within an app, services, or subscriptions within an app in the UK version of the Google Play Store since 1 October 2015 from an Android smartphone or tablet on which the Google Play Store was pre-installed. If you did not have to download the Google Play Store, it is likely it was pre-installed.
To understand if you could be included in the claim, answer these questions:
- Have you spent anything in the Google Play Store since 1 October 2015?
- Were you using an Android smartphone or tablet on which the Google Play Store was pre-installed?
- Were you using the UK Version of the Google Play Store?
- Were you living in the UK on 18 July 2022?
If you are uncertain about your answers to the above, visit the FAQ page.
If your answer to each question is YES then you are likely automatically included in Liz’s claim unless you chose to opt-out of the claim and informed Liz of that choice by 28 November 2022.
Liz has instructed the law firm Hausfeld & Co. LLP to represent her in the claim. Hausfeld is a leading international law firm specialising in competition law, with significant expertise in all aspects of collective redress and group claims.
Vannin Capital, a commercial litigation funder, has agreed to finance Liz's claim.
Latest News
The next hearing will take place remotely at 10.30 am on 1 March 2024 before the Competition Appeal Tribunal. It will address case management issues including any outstanding disclosure requests. The hearing may be followed via the Tribunal’s website (a “Watch now” link to view the hearing will appear on the hearing date under the Diary list on the following pages: https://www.catribunal.org.uk/ and https://www.catribunal.org.uk/diary/).
Liz’s application for a Collective Proceedings Order was granted by the Tribunal on 18 July 2022. This means that Liz’s claim will proceed to trial unless it is settled beforehand, on behalf of the class. The Collective Proceedings Order can be accessed here and the corresponding judgment of the Competition Appeal Tribunal can be accessed here.
Consumer Voice
14 December 2023
Google loses US monopoly lawsuit against Fortnite maker over its app store fees
A San Francisco court jury has decided that Google’s Android app store has been protected by anti-competitive practices that have damaged smartphone consumers and software developers.
mlex
10 November 2023
Google must disclose more documents for UK mass claim trial over Play Store
Google must disclose more documents for preparation of a UK class action over its Play Store, the claimant told the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London today.
GOV.UK
19 April 2023
Proposed commitments regarding changes to Google Play’s rules to allow certain app developers to use alternative billing systems for in-app purchases
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) invites views on the commitments offered by Google to address the CMA’s competition concerns in the context of an investigation under the Competition Act 1998.