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From groceries to gas, and housing to healthcare, Californians are feeling a pinch in their wallets with just about every purchase and payment — especially this time of year. As Attorney General, I’m determined to fight for a fair and competitive marketplace so consumers aren’t forced to fork over more of their hard-earned money thanks to inflated prices and limited choices.
That’s why I was proud to work with AGs from every state, the District of Columbia, and two territories to secure a $700 million settlement with Google for monopolizing the Android smartphone application market.
The tech giant hurt consumers by limiting options and creating an unfair marketplace that funneled ill-gotten profits back to the company. Thanks to our settlement, Google will pay back affected customers and has agreed to a long list of changes that will end their abuse of their monopoly and bring competition back to the Android app market. This settlement sends a clear message to Big Tech: If you use your power to illegally bend the market at the expense of consumers, small businesses, and the economy, we’ll see you in court.
Happy Holidays,
Rob
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Making Google Play by the Rules
 This week, we announced a groundbreaking $700 million settlement with Google, holding the company accountable for anticompetitive behavior that limited Android users’ options, inflated prices, and created an unfair marketplace for consumers. As part of our settlement, Google will pay restitution to 102 million users who made purchases through the Google Play store between August 2016 and September 2023, and will implement changes to restore fairness and prevent future misconduct.
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Protecting Charities and Donors
 My DOJ colleagues and I were proud to volunteer at the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, a community nonprofit that helps ensure hundreds of thousands of San Diegans have access to nutritious meals. Charities such as this depend on the support of donors and volunteers — and it’s important that these donations go to legitimate organizations. That’s why I issued guidance and tips to help protect Californians this holiday season to ensure their donations end up in the right hands.
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Tackling the Housing Crisis
 California is in the midst of a housing crisis, and even one Californian fearing eviction and homelessness is too many. This week, I announced the award of grant funding to three nonprofits to fund efforts to combat homelessness and protect tenants. The funding was secured by my office as part of a 2021 judgment against Wedgewood, a real estate investment company alleged to have unlawfully evicted tenants from foreclosed properties. We’ll continue our work to ensure that everyone has a safe place to call home.
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Cracking Down on Fraud
 Taxes owed to the State of California help fund many of the critical services our communities depend on. Those who put these services at risk will be held accountable. This week, I secured a 32-month prison sentence against a Los Angeles-area tobacco distributor, who pled guilty to running a $3 million tax evasion scheme.
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Make a Difference at California DOJ
 Apply today to help DOJ protect the health, well-being, and public safety of Californians. Check out our featured jobs below and visit oag.ca.gov/careers for a full listing of available positions:
Deputy Attorney General III, Natural Resources Law
Deputy Attorney General Supervisor, DMFEA Criminal Prosecutions Section
Deputy Attorney General Supervisor, Police Practices Section
Deputy Attorney General III, Land Use and Conservation Section
Deputy Attorney General IV, Health Quality Enforcement
Senior Assistant Attorney General, Native American and Tribal Affairs Section
Legislative Analyst, Bureau of Firearms Legislation Unit
Special Agent Supervisor, Dignitary Protection Unit
Investigative Auditor IV, DMFEA
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Video of the Week: DOJ Employees Give Back
 With many families struggling to make ends meet this holiday season, donating time and money is more important than ever.
But before writing a check, do your due diligence to protect yourself from those who might try to take advantage of your generosity.
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Post of the Week
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FLASH BRIEFING
Attorney General Bonta Joins Bipartisan Amicus Brief to U.S. Supreme Court Defending States’ Rights to Enforce State Consumer Financial Protection Laws
Attorney General Bonta to Appeal Decision Blocking Enforcement of SB 2’s Prohibition of Handguns in Certain Sensitive Public Places
Attorney General Bonta Conditionally Approves Sale of St. John of God Health Care Services’ Victorville Property to San Bernardino County
Attorney General Bonta Conditionally Approves Change in Control, Governance of Mercy Retirement and Care Center to Transforming Age
Attorney General Bonta Announces $700 Million Settlement with Google for Monopolizing Android App Distribution
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Photo of the Week
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 I had a great time wrapping presents and meeting some incredible kids and teachers at Family Connections Center in San Francisco.
Volunteering your time and donating money is important this holiday season—but if you give, make sure you do so safely.
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Resource Corner
 5 Tips for Safe Shopping This Holiday Season
- Be suspicious of a price or deal that seems too good to be true.
- Be attentive to details before you make a purchasea nd read the fine print.
- Check to see if an online business is legitimate before you buy from it.
- Use a credit card to shop as the law allows you to dispute charges if something goes wrong.
- Make sure you have a secure internet connection when shopping online.
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