Google faces two separate UK collective proceedings over Google Play: one brought on behalf of people and businesses who bought apps or in-app content, and another brought on behalf of app developers. Both raise allegations about Google Play, but they involve different claimants and issues. Neither should be treated as a finding that Google broke the law or an order to pay compensation. The Competition Appeal Tribunal lists a certification hearing for the consumer case on 14–15 December 2026; as of 7 October 2026, that hearing is still in the future.
What are the UK cases about?
The proceedings are separate collective claims before the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). The consumer case concerns purchases made through the UK version of Google Play. The developer case, brought by Professor Barry Rodger, challenges Google’s alleged conduct in Android app distribution and its commissions. The CAT’s case pages describe the proceedings; allegations in a case description are not a court finding.
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| Proceeding | Who the claim represents | What is challenged | Procedural point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nikki Stopford consumer proceedings | People and businesses who purchased through the UK Google Play Store | Claims concerning purchases of apps, in-app content and subscriptions | The CAT lists a certification hearing for 14–15 December 2026 |
| Professor Barry Rodger developer proceedings | App developers | Alleged restrictions on Android app distribution and allegedly excessive or unfair commissions on apps and in-app purchases or subscriptions | A separate developer case; its allegations should not be confused with the consumer claim |
What do the consumers allege, and who may be included?
The consumer proceedings concern people and businesses who paid for apps or for content, services or subscriptions through the UK Google Play Store. The claimant-facing site describes eligible UK purchasers as automatically included unless they opted out. That description does not, by itself, settle whether a particular purchase or person is covered: class definitions and eligibility details can change, so check the latest CAT orders and case documents before relying on it.
The consumer claim is a collective proceeding, not a decision that Google owes a particular customer money. The CAT’s case page lists a certification hearing for 14–15 December 2026. Certification is a procedural step; the listing does not say whether the claim will be certified, nor does it determine liability or compensation.
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What do developers allege?
The CAT describes the Rodger proceedings as alleging that Google abused its position through exclusionary conduct that prevents competition in Android app distribution and through excessive or unfair commissions on app purchases and additional content or subscriptions within apps. These are the claimant’s allegations, not findings that Google acted unlawfully.
A CAT disclosure ruling describes proposed remedies that could affect distribution of rival app stores and commissions on transactions. They are proposals in litigation, not rules currently in force. The ruling is available in the 24 September 2025 disclosure decision.
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- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
- Just the app you’re looking for: Millions of apps means millions of ways to get things done, learn something new, and maybe even meet someone special.
How is the CMA process different?
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is examining Google’s mobile platform under the UK digital markets regime, separately from the private CAT claims. The CMA says Google has strategic market status in the provision of its mobile platform and has consulted on possible conduct requirements. This regulatory work is not a damages judgment in either collective proceeding, and it does not establish that the allegations in those cases are true. The CMA’s Google mobile platform case page sets out the regulatory process.
On 30 June 2026, the CMA announced a consultation on new requirements for Apple’s and Google’s mobile platforms and noted Google’s announcement of changes to Play Store terms. That announcement does not establish how or when any particular change applies in the UK, or what effect it has on an individual user or developer; those details depend on the current terms and implementation. See the CMA consultation announcement.
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- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
- Just the app you’re looking for: Millions of apps means millions of ways to get things done, learn something new, and maybe even meet someone special.
What happens next?
The next specifically listed milestone in the consumer case is its certification hearing on 14–15 December 2026. As of 7 October 2026, no decision from that future hearing is available. The hearing date is not a trial date or a result, and it does not establish the outcome of the separate developer case or the CMA’s regulatory work. For developments, check each CAT case record and the Rodger case record.
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- No returns and no refunds on gift cards. Good for use on the US Google Play Store only. Terms apply - see below.
- Google Play gift codes can be used on the Google Play Store, the official app store for Android, to purchase apps, games, and more.
- To redeem, enter code in the Play Store app or play.google.com.
- Endless games to explore: Find and play old and new favorites – from mind-bending puzzles to epic quests and more.
- Just the app you’re looking for: Millions of apps means millions of ways to get things done, learn something new, and maybe even meet someone special.
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