US Judge Will Free Google From Group Lawsuit Regarding Google Play Store

JAKARTA - A US judge plans to release Google from a group lawsuit lawsuit by 21 million consumers claiming the company violated federal antitrust law by charging too high a fee on Google Play app stores.

The decision Monday, August 28, by US District Judge James Donato in San Francisco could significantly reduce losses Google may have to pay, a unit from Alphabet, regarding the distribution of Android mobile apps.

Consumers claim that they should pay less for the app and enjoy wider choices without a monopoly allegedly committed by Google. Google has denied unlawful acts.

Donato said that the class certification order he issued in November 2022 should have been canceled due to his decision, which was also announced on Monday, August 28, not to allow an economist to testify as an expert witness for consumers to have removed "important elements" from their arguments for certification.

The judge said he could not immediately revoke the class certification because Google had appealed its November order. He ordered Google lawyers and consumers to try to resolve the matter before the trial on September 7.

The group's lawsuit involves consumers from 12 US states and five regions, which are not included in similar cases against Google filed by various state attorneys general.

The group lawsuit allows plaintiffs to file charges together, and potential for greater compensation at lower costs than if they are forced to file individual charges.

Lawyers for consumers have not immediately responded to requests for comment from Reuters. Google and its lawyers have not immediately responded to similar requests.

The case is part of a broad antitrust litigation involving 38 states and the District of Columbia, as well as companies such as Epic Games and Match Group.