Google faces £1 billion UK lawsuit over hidden app charges

Google is facing a major legal challenge in the UK as a class action lawsuit seeks over £1 billion in damages for alleged “hidden charges” on app purchases made through the Google Play Store. The case, filed on behalf of around 20 million UK consumers and businesses, covers transactions made between October 1, 2015, and July 31, 2026. The claim alleges that Google violated competition law by charging app developers up to a 30% commission on purchases, which was then passed on to consumers through higher prices. This includes paid apps, subscriptions, and in-game extras like coins and power-ups.

The lawsuit is being heard in the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) and is being brought by Liz Coll, a consumer tech policy expert, and represented by law firm Hausfield. The legal action was initially launched in 2021 but faced delays due to other claims being settled, including a £260 million agreement by Google’s parent company, Alphabet, to resolve a separate class action involving UK app developers. A similar case against Apple was successfully won last year, with the CAT ruling that Apple had abused its dominant market position by charging a 30% commission on app sales and in-app purchases.

Google has defended its practices, stating that the Play Store offers some of the lowest fees in the market. A spokesman for the company said, “Android gives people more choice than any other mobile platform in deciding which apps and app stores they use.” Google also emphasized that it would defend its services “vigorously.” Liz Coll stated, “Millions of us have paid for apps, games, and subscriptions on our phones without knowing a hidden charge was built into the price. This trial is about getting that money back for people who use their phone and apps every day.”