Google to pay $700 million to US states in settlement

(CNN)– Google has agreed to pay $700 million to states and consumers to settle an antitrust lawsuit.

The Justice Department and dozens of states including South Carolina have accused the company of abusing its dominance in online searching.

They say Google allegedly harmed competition through deals with wireless carriers and smartphone makers to make Google search their default or exclusive option.

According to the settlement, about $630 million will go to a fund to benefit about 102 million consumers.

Another 70 million will go to the states involved in the suit.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson says people eligible for restitution do not have to submit a claim.

The people eligible will receive automatic payments through PayPal or Venmo or they can elect to receive a check or ACH transfer.