Stichting app stores claims admissible in collective action on behalf of Dutch Google Play users

On 19 March 2025, the Amsterdam District Court declared Stichting app stores claims (ASC) admissible in its collective action against Google. All objections from Google were rejected. The court has also appointed ASC as the exclusive representative. This allows ASC to represent millions of Dutch Google Play users in the collective action.

ASC asserts that Google has abused its dominant position for years. Developers were forced to distribute their apps through Google Play (and previously the Google Play Store) and use Google's payment system. Consequently, users paid excessive commissions of up to 30% with every purchase of apps or in-app services. ASC is seeking compensation for the damage suffered on behalf of the affected users and intends to force Google to permanently change its behaviour and comply with competition law.

This judgement marks an important milestone in the collective proceedings against Google and in obtaining compensation for Google Play users.

In these proceedings, ASC is represented by the law firm Hausfeld Advocaten, which specialises in class actions and competition law, on the basis of the Act on the Resolution of Mass Damages in Collective Action (WAMCA). Hausfeld is conducting similar cases on behalf of app users in the United Kingdom. 

Additional information about Stichting app stores claims and the class action against Google can be found on the website: www.bigtechfairplay.nl. The judgment can be found at: https://deeplink.rechtspraak.nl/uitspraak?id=ECLI:NL:RBAMS:2025:1859