Some Virginians could get a payout under Google Play settlement

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Some Virginians may be eligible for a payout under a $700 million settlement involving the Google Play Store. Here's what you need to know to ensure that, if you're eligible, you get paid.

In December 2023, Google agreed to pay out $700 million to settle a lawsuit filed by a coalition of 53 attorneys general, including Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares. Said lawsuit accused Google of anticompetitive conduct within its Google Play Store.

A portion of the settlement will be used to compensate consumers who were impacted by said anticompetitive conduct, per a Dec. 10 press release from Miyares' office.

Eligible consumers are those who made purchases from the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023 and were harmed by these practices.

But how do I get my compensation?

According to Miyares' office, affected -- and therefore eligible -- consumers began receiving notices about the settlement distribution process on Dec. 2.

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If the settlement receives final approval during a court hearing set for April 30, 2026, consumers will receive an email from PayPal or a text from Venmo notifying them of their incoming payment. These notifications will be sent to the email or phone number associated with consumers' Google Play accounts.

Should that email or phone number match an existing PayPal or Venmo account, the payout will be deposited directly, with no action needed from the consumer. If such a PayPal or Venmo account does not exist, the consumer will be invited to create one.

Those who do not want to create a PayPal or Venmo account, who no longer have access to the email address or phone number associated with their Google Play account or who were expecting a payment but did not receive one will be able to participate in a supplemental claims process, per the release.

If you would like to receive an email when said supplemental claims process begins, you can sign up to be notified here.

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“There is a fine line between free market capitalism and crony corporatism," Miyares said in the release. "Big Tech giants, like Google, wield an enormous amount of power and influence over our lives and must be held to the highest standard. I’m proud of my office’s stellar Consumer Protection team for their years of work to secure this settlement and encourage Virginia consumers who may be eligible for compensation to follow these instructions."

In addition to paying out this large sum, Google also agreed to change its practices to end any harm caused to both consumers and developers.

Consumers who do not want to receive this settlement payment because they intend to bring their own case against Google must request to be excluded by Feb. 19, 2026. Those who want to object to the settlement can file a written objection, which is due by that same date.