Apps That Didn't Add 'Trader' Contact Info in the EU Removed From App Store

[MacRumors]

Apps that have not complied with the trader requirement in the European Union have been removed from the App Store, Apple informed developers today. The apps that have been removed will not be allowed back in the App Store until trader status is provided and verified by Apple.

Disclosing trader status is a requirement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) in the EU. Developers who distribute apps in the European Union need to share information with customers that includes address, phone number, and email address, with that data listed in the EU App Store.

Apple warned developers several times that apps without verified trader status would be removed from the App Store on February 17, 2025, and that has now happened. Apple has required new apps and app updates to include trader information for quite some time now, so most apps should have been updated. Trader status information can be added through App Store Connect.

The DSA requires Apple to verify and display contact details for all "traders" who are distributing apps on the App Store in the European Union. Developers who make money from the App Store through an upfront purchase price or through in-app purchases are considered traders, regardless of size.

Independent developers and small companies may not have dedicated business addresses and phone numbers to provide to customers, so some developers have been unhappy with the EU's requirement. Developer contact information will be displayed on the ‌App Store‌ product page when an app is distributed in any of the 27 territories in the EU.

More information on determining who is a trader and who needs to provide contact details can be found on Apple's website.

Article Link: Apps That Didn't Add 'Trader' Contact Info in the EU Removed From App Store

 

[skofgar]

Yeah. I find this rule too difficult for small developers to implement. Especially having a phone number posted publicly

 

[rappr]

I can’t wait to see how this is somehow Apple’s fault

 

[turbineseaplane]

I'm not even sure what the "news" is here

"Person driving without required license has driving suspended until a license is acquired"

EU has its rules -- Apple is following them

News at 11

 

[555gallardo]

Hopefully, some developers like those who put every button behind a 30-second ad, will never return.

 

[jozero]

This is insane. As a small indie developer you are supposed to put your home address and phone number?

 

[turbineseaplane]

There's no need to have all the exact same debates, all over again

The link in the article to the previous MR discussion on this covers everything anyone is going to come in and say

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-app-store-to-meet-trader-requirement.2440339

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Yeah. I find this rule too difficult for small developers to implement. Especially having a phone number posted publicly

I guess you'd have to use an EU equivalent to TextNow or something.

 

[PsykX]

Yeah. I find this rule too difficult for small developers to implement. Especially having a phone number posted publicly

Agreed.

I have lots of random calls / numbers from the USA since the last 2 months, I don't know if it's related to my dev status, but it's so annoying.

I remember when I had a small company, lots of people would call me to sell me stuff for my business.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Yeah. I find this rule too difficult for small developers to implement. Especially having a phone number posted publicly

Yeah, can’t imagine putting it out there and bombarded 24 Hrs about bugs and questions. May be use a burner phone. EU has gone too far, not sure how long this will last though.

 

[icanhazmac]

Independent developers and small companies may not have dedicated business addresses and phone numbers to provide to customers, so some developers have been unhappy with the EU's requirement. Developer contact information will be displayed on the ‌App Store‌ product page when an app is distributed in any of the 27 territories in the EU.

Especially having a phone number posted publicly

This is insane. As a small indie developer you are supposed to put your home address and phone number?

While I am no fan of EU regulations, I don't understand the problem. Get a PO Box and a separate phone number as a cost of doing business, simple as that, those are not very expensive at all.

Why should consumers have zero idea who they are doing business with? Devs certainly want all of consumers information!

 

[nostradumbass]

This is insane. As a small indie developer you are supposed to put your home address and phone number?

Welp that’s what happens when non-tech and non-dev people write laws that make no sense.

They could ban Formerly Twitter but instead they chose to do this stupid.

 

[chrono1081]

Yeah. I find this rule too difficult for small developers to implement. Especially having a phone number posted publicly

Yup. People at the EU didn't think this one through.

 

[chrono1081]

I don't understand the problem, PO Box and a separate phone number as a cost of doing business, simple as that.

Why should consumers have zero idea who they are doing business with? Devs certainly want all of consumers information!

No a PO Box and a separate phone number aren't "cost of doing business". Indie devs are often one person and most apps don't make a lot of money.

Consumers shouldn't get access to someone's phone number and address either, that's just invasive. Not all devs want consumer info (and you can see the ones that do in the privacy label). A website or email address should be enough.

 

[ChrisA]

This is insane. As a small indie developer you are supposed to put your home address and phone number?

Yes, you are selling something. Let's say it is defective and causes harm. How can your customer contact you for compensation if you do not give contact information? Yes, you ARE liable for the products you sell. You bought insurance I hope?

 

[turbineseaplane]

I don't understand the problem. Get a PO Box and a separate phone number as a cost of doing business, simple as that, those are not very expensive at all.

Bingo! This exactly 👆

I'm totally mesmerized by the outrage over a completely simple to solve for non-issue

 

[0815]

guess my apps are now gone from the EU AppStore ... don't really care (I ignored all the nagging emails from Apple). I am a more hobby independent developer who puts the app in the AppStore, not really making a lot of money from the EU, so that does not justify going through the trouble of getting a second phone number which I could get for free via Google (that I then would just ignore) or paying for a PO box address. Really, not worth the trouble. Some apps were a good success, but I also put in minimal ads (I just hate ads in apps), mostly get money from IAP (but also not the crazy type of IAP, super limited) - still have the apps in the rest of the world . Its really more a hobby then a business.
I absolutely refuse to list my personal phone number or address for everyone to see. I have a contact email in every app and store listing - that should be good enough.

 

[GMShadow]

Yes, you are selling something. Let's say it is defective and causes harm. How can your customer contact you for compensation if you do not give contact information? Yes, you ARE liable for the products you sell. You bought insurance I hope?

How would an app be defective and cause harm?

 

[icanhazmac]

No a PO Box and a separate phone number aren't "cost of doing business". Indie devs are often one person and most apps don't make a lot of money.

Bad business models aren't the fault of the consumer. If you cannot afford a separate phone line, or service, and a PO Box then maybe you are in the wrong profession.

 

[cjsuk]

How would an app be defective and cause harm?

Leak your data perhaps?

 

[turbineseaplane]

Folks should note that Apple does not determine if you are a "trader" as defined by the EU rules

It's a self assessment and here is some guidance below (from a link in the article)

The last sentence is good guidance:
"if you have a legal status associated with a business activity, that would suggest you may be a trader."

Business activities have costs .. in this case, likely a business address (PO box, etc) and a phone number (could be a free VOIP line)

 

[icanhazmac]

Consumers shouldn't get access to someone's phone number and address either, that's just invasive. Not all devs want consumer info (and you can see the ones that do in the privacy label). A website or email address should be enough.

A web site and email address give you no idea who you are dealing with, all the web site info can be fake. In these times one might not want to deal with devs from certain countries. As a consumer I should have the right to know where a business is located before I give them my payment information, my address, etc.

How would an app be defective and cause harm?

Data breach, payment processor leak, etc.

 

[chrono1081]

Bad business models aren't the fault of the consumer. If you cannot afford a separate phone line, or service, and a PO Box then maybe you are in the wrong profession.

So you're not aware of what an indie dev is...got it.

 

[Macropanda]

Bingo! This exactly 👆

I'm totally mesmerized by the outrage over a completely simple to solve for non-issue

I think the worry is that a PO Box can cost hundreds per year.
I got one in the UK for free and all they bill for is scanning post that I get, which should almost never happen.

Then get a SIM card which in the uk you can easily get for under £5 a month and use that.

It’s annoying but not anywhere near as costly as it first seems.

 

[chrono1081]

A web site and email address give you no idea who you are dealing with, all the web site info can be fake. In these times one might not want to deal with devs from certain countries. As a consumer I should have the right to know where a business is located before I give them my payment information, my address, etc.



Data breach, payment processor leak, etc.

None of your points are valid. You clearly don't understand how easily solvable those things you want are without exposing someone's phone and address.

If someone does purchase a phone number and PO Box who's to say they'll ever answer it? Your points are moot.