Google settles UK app developer lawsuit for £260 million

Google has reached a £260 million (£353.21 million) settlement with a London-based app developer, according to a settlement agreement published on Thursday. The lawsuit, originally valued at just over £1 billion, was brought against Google for allegedly abusing its dominant market position to prevent app developers from distributing their apps through alternative means and by charging an unfair commission of around 30%.

The case, which was set to go to trial at London’s Competition Appeal Tribunal, was the fourth legal action against a major tech company in 2025, following similar lawsuits against Apple, Qualcomm, and Sony. The settlement agreement states that while Google does not admit liability or wrongdoing, it believes it has strong defenses to the claims made by Professor Barry Rodger.

The 19-page settlement agreement between Rodger’s and Google’s lawyers notes that if approved, the settlement will provide meaningful financial compensation to businesses that would otherwise not have been able to compete against a company like Google.