A $700 million settlement with Google has opened a new channel for Texans to receive compensation after the tech giant was found to have violated antitrust laws. The settlement, finalized this week, allows consumers who made purchases on the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023 to claim a share of the payout.
Settlement Background
Texas filed suit against Google in 2022, accusing the company of unlawfully tracking and collecting users’ private data—including geolocation, incognito searches and biometric information. In 2023, Attorney General Ken Paxton, together with attorneys general from other U.S. states and several territories, negotiated a settlement that addressed Google’s “anticompetitive practices that affected consumers who made purchases on the Google Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023,” according to a press release from the AG’s office. The agreement was reached after a year of negotiations and is now considered final, giving Texas residents a legal remedy for the alleged data‑collection abuses.
Finalization and Claim Process
With the settlement now finalized, Paxton issued a statewide notice encouraging Texans to claim their portion of the penalty Google was required to pay for breaking the law. In a statement, he said, “I encourage every Texan affected by these unlawful actions to claim their share of the penalty Google had to pay for breaking the law,” and added, “There will be zero tolerance for any Big Tech company that chooses to ignore the law, drive up costs for consumers, and destroy competition in the Lone Star State.” The notice outlines the steps consumers must take to receive their payment and sets a deadline of February 19, 2026 for filing claims.
Payment Mechanism
Consumers who qualify will receive a notification through either PayPal or Venmo. The notification will arrive as an email from PayPal or a text message from Venmo, informing the recipient of an incoming payment sent to the email address or mobile phone number associated with their Google Play account. If the contact information in the consumer’s PayPal or Venmo profile does not match the one linked to their Google Play account, the consumer can either create a new PayPal or Venmo account or direct the payment to another email address or phone number.
Supplemental Claims
For those who do not have an existing PayPal or Venmo account and do not wish to sign up for either service, for those who no longer have access to the email address or mobile phone number associated with their Google Play account, or for those who were expecting a payment but did not receive one, a supplemental claims process will be available after the automatic payment is completed. Consumers who qualify for supplemental claims can submit their name, email address, and mobile phone number on the settlement website to receive an email notification when the claim process begins.
How to Claim
To claim the settlement money, consumers must file a claim by the deadline of February 19, 2026. The claim can be submitted online through the settlement website, where the consumer will provide the required personal information. Those who prefer not to receive a payment and wish to pursue their own case against Google must submit a request to be excluded from the settlement, either online or in writing, by the same February 19, 2026 deadline. Additionally, consumers who wish to object to the settlement can file a written objection by the deadline date.
Exclusion and Objection
An upcoming court hearing will review the settlement’s approval on April 30, 2026. Those who submit an exclusion request or an objection will have their cases considered during that hearing. The settlement’s terms specify that consumers who do not want a payment and want to bring their own case against Google must submit a request to be excluded online or in writing by February 19, 2026. Consumers who want to object to the settlement can file a written objection by the same deadline, and the court will evaluate these objections at the April 30 hearing.
Key Takeaways
- Texans can claim money from a $700 million Google settlement for purchases made on the Play Store between August 2016 and September 2023.
- Payments will be sent via PayPal or Venmo; unmatched contact info can be updated or redirected.
- Claims, objections, and exclusions must be filed by February 19, 2026; a court hearing on the settlement will occur on April 30, 2026.
In summary, the settlement provides a concrete avenue for Texas residents to recover from alleged antitrust violations by Google. The deadline approaches quickly, so interested parties should act promptly to secure their share of the payout or to pursue their own legal action.
