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

[AppliedMicro]

App developers creating an app, getting their money and then doing a runner. The app starts causing issues or fails to work or stops working due to a iOS update and the ONLY way disgruntled customers can contact the app developer is via app feedback because the app developer did not leave an contact details. So, thousands of app customers are left with an app that no longer works and have no way of contacting the app developer whilst the app developer has run off with the money.

To be fair…

1. it may not be the app developers’ fault that the app stopped working (it may be the OS)
2. you can’t force app developers to continue supporting their app
3. selling an app “as is”, supporting only the current OS and without promising future OS support, is fair enough

The issue of course is that Apple can pull the rug from under you by refusing you to downgrade your device’s OS:

• buy an iPhone
• have a hardware defect covered by warranty (or statutory warranty rights)
• have it serviced and updated - or the mainboard replaced in the process

👉 Can’t restore to your previous configuration and older iOS version that is compatible with the app you purchased


Then again, the app developer may have promised and/or marketed support for future OS versions. Or you may have “bought” a year-long subscription. In which case it’s entirely reasonable to want to contact the developer and hold them accountable.

 

[laptech]

To be fair…

1. it may not be the app developers’ fault that the app stopped working (it may be the OS)
2. you can’t force app developers to continue supporting their app
3. selling an app “as is”, supporting only the current OS and without promising future OS support, is fair enough

....

I disagree. If I am spending my hard earned money on an app I expect that app to be supported for the next few years to come. It is utterly disingenuous of app developers who are expecting people to pay for their app with having no intention of offering support or update for their app. If there is to be no support or updates then the app developer should make it clear in their app.

The app store should only contain app's from developers who offer continued support for their app and updates to their app. Again this is something the EU is addressing with this trader info. An app dev who is selling their app and has no intention of doing what is right by their customers (offering long term support and updates) should not be allowed in the app store because it prevents customers from having resolution/recourse with the app dev is something goes wrong.

App dev's who sell their apps who have no intention of supporting their app as in they just want the money from the sales and that's it are not going to go through the process of giving their details and these are exactly the app dev's the EU wants to weed out.

 

[Bampf]

If I am spending my hard earned money on an app I expect that app to be supported for the next few years to come. It is utterly disingenuous of app developers who are expecting people to pay for their app with having no intention of offering support or update for their app. If there is to be no support or updates then the app developer should make it clear in their app.

The app store should only contain app's from developers who offer continued support for their app and updates to their app. Again this is something the EU is addressing with this trader info.

Do you really expect phone support for all your apps, whether they cost $2 or $200? Whether for entertainment or productivity? Why doesn't a Discord channel, or online forum, count as support?

You also equate not having a phone number with not intending to put out app updates, which is ridiculous.

App dev's who sell their apps who have no intention of supporting their app as in they just want the money from the sales and that's it

Big companies just as likely, if not more likely, to "just want money from sales", but the EU rule doesn't hurt them.

I agree that the EU rule will weed out some vaporware and shovelware. It does this by also weeding out small but legitimate developers. Those developers are perfectly justified in complaining about it. That doesn't make them lazy or greedy.

(One last point: I am not a lawyer but as far as I can tell, the EU requirement doesn't actually require customer service or support! It's basically to establish that you are a legitimate business that can be taxed and held legally liable. Will this rule weed out some bad actors? Absolutely! But you still won't be able to get phone support from Facebook if hackers lock you out of your account. Or have any recourse when Disney shuts down an MMO you spent hundreds of dollars in.)