WASHINGTON, June 30 - Google of Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O) has agreed to pay $90 million to settle with app developers over their role in developing apps for Android smartphones and inducing users to make apps. Legal disputes arising from money earned from in-app purchases. , according to court documents. In a lawsuit filed in federal court in San Francisco,
app developers accuse Google of using agreements with smartphone manufacturers, technical barriers and revenue-sharing agreements to effectively shut down the app ecosystem and divert traffic through the default Google Play billing system. Most payments. 30% service charge.
As part of the proposed solution, Google said in a blog post that it would devote $90 million to support app developers who earned $2 million or less annually between 2016 and 2021.
"The vast majority of U.S. developers who earn revenue through Google Play will be eligible to receive money from the fund if they choose," Google said in a blog post.
Google said it will also charge a 15% commission on the first million developers earn from the Google Play Store each year. It began doing so in 2021.
The court must approve the proposed settlement.
Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, which represents the plaintiffs, said 48,000 app developers may be eligible to apply for the $90 million fund, with a minimum payout of $250.
Apple Inc (AAPL.O) agreed last year to loosen App Store restrictions for small developers, striking a deal in the class action lawsuit . It also agreed to pay $100 million.
In Washington, Congress is considering legislation that would require Google and Apple to allow sideloading, or the practice of downloading apps without using the App Store. Google says it already allows sideloading. It would also ban them from requiring app providers to use Google and Apple's payment systems.
