Maryland Consumers Eligible for Share of $700 Million Google Settlement, Instructions for Accessing Funds Released

Maryland consumers who made purchases on the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023 may soon receive funds from a substantial $700 million settlement with Google, according to information released by the Maryland Attorney General’s office. The settlement aims to compensate consumers harmed by Google’s alleged anticompetitive business practices and is pending final court approval.

The settlement, which also mandates Google to alter its practices that allegedly harmed consumers and app developers, received preliminary approval on November 20, 2025. A final approval hearing is scheduled for April 30, 2026. If approved, the majority of the settlement funds will be distributed to eligible consumers.

Beginning December 2, 2025, consumers identified as potentially affected began receiving notifications regarding the distribution process. For most individuals, no proactive steps will be required to claim their portion of the settlement. Payments are expected to be processed automatically to recipients.

Following the court’s final approval, consumers will receive an email from PayPal or a text message from Venmo. These notifications will be sent to the email address or phone number associated with their Google Play account. If this contact information is linked to an existing PayPal or Venmo account, the funds will be deposited directly. For those without a linked account, or if the associated email or phone number is no longer in use, there will be an option to create a new account or direct the payment to a different PayPal or Venmo account.

A supplementary claims process will be established after the initial automatic payments are distributed. This process will accommodate consumers who do not wish to use PayPal or Venmo, no longer have access to their original Google Play account contact information, or believe they should have received a payment but did not. Consumers interested in being informed when this supplemental claims period opens can register their name, email address, and mobile phone number on the dedicated settlement website.

Consumers have several important deadlines to be aware of regarding the settlement process. Those who wish to opt out of the settlement and pursue their own legal action against Google must submit a request by February 19, 2026. Similarly, individuals who wish to formally object to the terms of the settlement must file their objections in writing by the same date. The court will then convene on April 30, 2026, to make a final decision on the settlement’s approval.

The settlement was secured by Attorney General Brown in collaboration with a coalition of attorneys general from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General.

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