Prof Barry Rodger is the Strathclyde University academic who could be about to cause a £1bn+ headache for Google.
The tech giant will face an 11-week trial starting on September 28 in a legal action for more than £1bn in damages brought on behalf of thousands of UK app developers who were allegedly overcharged for using Google’s Play Store.
With the trial now approaching, Google has failed in a last-ditch effort to narrow the class of app developers represented in the claim.
Professor Rodger, who has been an academic at Strathclyde University Law School since 1993, said: “This is a significant moment for UK app developers. Many small businesses have had little realistic choice but to use Google Play Store to reach Android customers. The cost of doing so, we believe, was excessive and unfair.
“A landmark trial against Google is right around the corner. Any UK app developers who think they are affected should get in touch confidentially here. It takes minutes and it costs nothing.”
In May 2025, the Competition Appeal Tribunal authorised Professor Rodger to bring the case on behalf of UK app developers on an ‘opt-out’ basis, meaning eligible developers are automatically included unless they choose to opt out.
Google had sought to require certain app developers to actively opt in to the case shortly before trial, forcing them to put themselves forward publicly or be excluded from the case.
The tribunal rejected Google’s application, meaning the case will continue to trial on an opt-out basis.
The claim seeks compensation for UK app developers who sold apps, subscriptions or in-app digital content through the Google Play Store from August 2018 and paid commission to Google on those sales.
Competition law academic Professor Rodger, the class representative, is now urging UK app developers to get in touch.
He alleges that Google abused its dominant position in Android app distribution by using technical and contractual restrictions to limit competition and make Google Play the essential route to market for UK app developers seeking to reach Android users.
Google is accused of then using that position to charge excessive and unfair commissions of up to 30 per cent on sales of apps, subscriptions and in-app digital content.
Google deny the claims
The claim seeks compensation for alleged revenue losses suffered by UK app developers, including many SMEs. Google denies the claim.
While Professor Rodger represents UK app developers, Google is facing similar legal cases around the world.
September’s trial will examine the commercial terms on which UK app developers have had to distribute apps and sell digital content through Google Play.
Professor Rodger alleges that, in a fair and competitive market, app developers would have paid less to Google to distribute their apps, subscriptions and in-app digital content.
Instead, he claims, Google charged excessive commissions and reduced the revenue retained by developers from their own products.
Professor Rodger has instructed Geradin Partners, a pan-European law firm specialising in competition law, digital markets and collective actions before the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
The claim is brought against Alphabet Inc, Google LLC, Google Ireland Limited, Google Asia Pacific Pte Limited, Google Commerce Limited, Google Payment Limited and Google UK Limited.
The claim will seek more than £1bn in compensation for UK app developers who allegedly lost revenue as a result of Google’s conduct.