UK consumers sue Google for hidden app charges seeking £1 billion

Google is facing a major class action lawsuit in the UK seeking over £1 billion in damages for allegedly imposing "hidden charges" on app purchases through the Google Play Store. The claim, filed on behalf of around 20 million UK consumers and businesses, covers purchases made between October 1, 2015, and July 31, 2026. The lawsuit argues that Google violated competition law by charging app developers up to a 30% commission on sales, which was then passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices.

The claim includes a wide range of in-app purchases, such as paid-for apps, subscription payments for services like dating, fitness, music, and gaming apps, as well as in-game extras like coins, gems, and power-ups. For example, if a player spent £10 on in-game items, Google retained £3, allegedly increasing the overall price for consumers. Google has defended its practices, stating that the Play Store offers some of the lowest fees in the market and that it will vigorously contest the lawsuit.

The legal action was launched in 2021 by Liz Coll, a consumer tech policy expert, and is being represented by law firm Hausfeld. The trial began on Tuesday at the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). This case follows a similar claim against Apple, which was won last year when the CAT ruled that Apple abused its dominant market position by charging a 30% commission on app sales and in-app purchases.

Liz Coll emphasized that millions of consumers unknowingly paid extra due to these hidden charges. Lesley Hannah, a partner at Hausfeld, accused Google of leveraging its market position to charge excessive commissions for over a decade, ultimately burdening consumers with higher costs.