Google is facing a more than £1 billion lawsuit in the United Kingdom over allegations that it abused its dominance of the Android app market to charge excessive commissions on app purchases and subscriptions.
The mass consumer case, which opened at London’s Competition Appeal Tribunal on Tuesday, was filed on behalf of about 20 million people who bought apps, paid for in-app purchases or subscribed to services through Google’s Play Store between 2015 and July 2026.
Consumer advocate Liz Coll is leading the claim, with her lawyers accusing Google of exploiting its dominant position to impose commissions of up to 30 per cent on developers using the Play Store.
They argue that developers ultimately passed the cost of the commissions on to consumers through higher prices.
As an example, the lawyers pointed to YouTube Premium, saying Google had chosen to pass on the commission it paid when the service was sold through Apple’s App Store.
Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has rejected the allegations and is fighting the case, arguing that the lawsuit fails to account for the level of choice available to consumers and developers on Android.
The company said its fees were among the lowest in the market and argued that the Play Store faced strong competition from Apple’s App Store and other alternative platforms.
Google’s lawyers described Coll’s case as unfounded, maintaining that the company operates in a market where both developers and consumers have alternatives.
See also: Lamide Akinola Leaves Glovo Nigeria as Investment Tops ₦54bn
The case is the latest major legal challenge against Big Tech companies over app store commissions in Britain.
Apple and Sony are also facing similar lawsuits over alleged excessive charges on their App Store and PlayStation Store, respectively. Both cases involve claims concerning commissions of up to 30 per cent.
Google has faced growing regulatory and legal pressure over the way it operates the Play Store and handles payments for digital products.
The company has also been embroiled in a long-running dispute with Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, over its app store practices.
In March, Google and Epic reached a worldwide settlement under which Google agreed to expand billing options and reduce developer fees, bringing an end to several aspects of their legal battle.
Google also agreed in August to pay £260 million to settle another UK lawsuit brought on behalf of app developers. The settlement was reached without Google admitting liability or wrongdoing.
The latest case could therefore add to mounting pressure on Google to change how it charges developers and consumers through its Play Store, while potentially exposing the company to more than £1 billion in damages if the claim succeeds.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
