Alphabet, Google's parent company, recently settled a dispute with all 50 states, the District of Columbia and two U.S. territories over
Google's anticompetitive actions in the Google Play Store. To settle the dispute, Apple paid $700 million. After $70 million is paid to states to cover penalties, restitution, disgorgement and fees, the remaining $630 will be paid to those who made purchases on the Play Store between August 16, 2016 and 30 September 2023.
Those who are eligible to receive a portion of the settlement will receive a check for at least $2 and possibly more depending on how much they spent in the Play Store over the aforementioned seven-year period. Lawyers may publish the web address of the site that users will visit to file their claim online and we will pass this information on to you once it is disclosed.
More of the company's money could be flowing to Android and iOS users with today's announcement of Google's settlement in a massive $5 billion lawsuit. According to
The New York Post, the suit accused Google of tracking the personal data of millions of people even if they used incognito mode on the Chrome browser. Lawyers for both sides signed the settlement, which now awaits the signature of a federal judge. This will take place no later than February 24 next year.
Chrome users sued Google for tracking them online even with incognito mode enabled
With incognito mode enabled, users can browse the web and keep their online activity private. In other words, if there's a reason you don't want anyone else to know what websites you've visited, incognito mode is supposed to achieve that. But the plaintiffs claim that even with incognito mode enabled, Google used analytics and other tools to track their browsing history.
Tracking these Chrome users across iOS and Android allowed Google to create an “inexplicable trove of information” ranging from boring information (shopping habits, hobbies, etc.) to “potentially embarrassing things.” Similar to the Play Store settlement with the states, the court will eventually reveal how those who believe they are entitled to a portion of the new settlement fund can make a claim. And once that's announced, we'll pass that information along to you.
