The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has made an order certifying a £1bn legal claim against Google on behalf of UK app developers that have allegedly been overcharged by Google for using its Play Store.
Thousands of businesses are poised to receive compensation for the loss in revenue suffered as a result of Google’s alleged conduct if the claim is successful.
The decision is the latest in a series of setbacks for the tech giant and follows significant scrutiny of its Play Store conduct around the world, including by the European Commission, the UK’s competition watchdog and the US courts.
The legal claim, brought by competition law academic Professor Barry Rodger, accuses Google of abusing its dominant position to the detriment of thousands of UK businesses who sold apps on the Play Store, also known as Google Play, to Android customers.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for the losses in revenue suffered by those businesses, many of whom are SMEs, from August 2018.
The CAT has now published a collective proceedings order, following certifying the action back in March, which confirms its decision to certify the claim.
The tribunal has authorised Professor Rodger to act as the class representative. “The tribunal’s decision is a significant step towards ensuring redress for small businesses in the UK that have lost money through Google’s conduct,” he said.
“Google abuses its Play Store monopoly by imposing excessive commissions, harming small business app developers and stifling crucial innovation and growth in the UK tech landscape.”
Professor Rodger claims that, in a fair market, app developers would be paying less to distribute their apps and sell their digital content.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is currently investigating whether to designate Google as having Strategic Market Status within its mobile ecosystem, including its app distribution services.
In March 2025, the CMA held a workshop with app developers, with multiple participants stating that Google had an “unfair advantage in app development innovation”.
Pan-European law firm Geradin Partners have been appointed to represent Professor Rodger in his class action in the CAT.
The trial is set to commence in October 2026.
