Developers Must Share Phone Number and Address on EU App Store to Meet 'Trader' Requirement Starting in October

[MacRumors]

Apple today reminded developers who plan to distribute apps in the European Union to submit their trader status, a requirement that will see the App Store sharing the address, phone number, and email address of each developer. The information will be displayed on a developer's App Store page.

The Digital Services Act (DSA) in the European Union requires Apple to verify and display trader contract information 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 cost or through in-app purchases are considered traders, regardless of size.

Contact information for each developer that is classified as a trader will be publicly available, and many developers are unhappy with the requirement. Independent developers and small companies may not have business addresses and phone numbers to provide, and are understandably reluctant to provide their personal contact information.

Apple will require trader status to submit app updates starting on October 16, 2024. Trader information must be provided before an app can be submitted for review. On February 17, 2025, apps without trader status will be removed from the App Store in the EU until trader status is provided and verified.

As displaying trader status is a Digital Services Act requirement in the European Union, Apple does not have a choice on implementing the feature. 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: Developers Must Share Phone Number and Address on EU App Store to Meet 'Trader' Requirement Starting in October

 

[breenmask]

*sigh* life was simpler and better before EU's DMA.

yes, I would love it if an angry customer with a 6 year old phone is complaining my app no longer supports his outdated iOS version to show up at my doorstep with a knife.

 

[macfacts]

*sigh* life was simpler and better before EU's DMA.

yes, I would love it if an angry customer who's 6 year old phone is complaining my app no longer supports his outdated iOS version to show up at my doorstep with a knife.

Meanwhile in the USA, Google's android app store is a monopoly ( https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/14/24220491/epic-google-android-app-store-monopoly-remedies-hearing ), if the bar is set so low, Apple's app store has got to be a monopoly.

 

[vertsix]

Reminder this is the company that supposedly cares about privacy.

EDIT: The guy below is correct, this is not Apple's decision. My bad.

 

[TroyKing]

Reminder this is the company that supposedly cares about privacy.

Apple doesn’t have a choice. The EU is forcing them to do this.

 

[nicolas_s]

A good thing for more transparency! Thanks EU!

 

[JordanCautious]

This is what they wanted though. Only person they should be mad at are themselves. They wanted both the DSA and the DMA 🤷‍♂️. They saw all the benefits and none of the downsides.

 

[The Apple Bitch]

Why is this a thing?? Anyone help please 🙏

 

[CatalinApple]

Reminder this is the company that supposedly cares about privacy.

As displaying trader status is a Digital Services Act requirement in the European Union, Apple does not have a choice on implementing the feature. 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.
I don't think you have read the article. Blame the EU and everyone else that supports the Digital Service Acts and the Digital Market Acts.
From the beginning I was and I am still against what the EU does and as a citizen of the EU I would rather have this 💩 turned into dust. I hate the EU and they can go where the sun never shines in the darkest place of the unknown universe.

 

[RigSatMe]

EU - full flavor of freedom 😂

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I see this is a good thing. If you're going to sell me a product, of any sort, I should be able to contact you or have available recourse if there is an issue.

 

[ric22]

Will they not just all pay for fake business mailing addresses? Screw putting your home address out there along with your other details...

 

[Truth_guy1]

This is a good thing, maybe it will reduce scam apps if properly implemented.

 

[rumorphobe]

The EU is a disgrace. Making some poor guy selling an app for a euro publicly disclose his home address and phone number is absurd.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

The EU is a disgrace. Making some poor guy selling an app for a euro publicly disclose his home address and phone number is absurd.

There is no requirement to post a home address.

In the US, it would be a PO Box. Most countries have a similar option.

 

[rumorphobe]

There is no requirement to post a home address.

That’s an incredibly dishonest statement, as you know. Most people selling apps as a small business will not be able to afford a business address.

 

[xxFoxtail]

I used to have a few apps on the App Store years ago. I would not be comfortable sharing my personal phone number and address on the store page.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

That’s an incredibly dishonest statement, as you know. Most people selling apps as a small business will not be able to afford a business address.

My wife is a small business owner (self-employed attorney with one employee), and her PO Box is $8 month. That is her legal business address.

Can't afford that, really?

In addition, at least in the US, you should be selling your apps under an LLC, otherwise your personal financial wellbeing and possessions would be in play if you were sued by a customer.

 

[BaldiMac]

This is a good thing, maybe it will reduce scam apps if properly implemented.

Yeah. No way scammers would have access to a call center.

This is awful for small developers. Especially ones simply offering free apps with seldomly used IAP.

 

[nicolas_s]

That’s an incredibly dishonest statement, as you know. Most people selling apps as a small business will not be able to afford a business address.

If they sell apps, they make money so they can afford to rent a mailbox.

 

[andrewxgx]

Yeah. No way scammers would have access to a call center.

but you'll know upfront whether this is legitimate business in country where fraud is rare, or some solo guy from india with PO box as address

this puts customers above developers. thats it. if you dont want me to have a way to contact you for support or verify legitimacy of your business, then maybe you shouldn't ask me to pay for your app.

 

[bollman]

Where does it say it has to be your personal phone number or home address?
Here, you can get a digital "PostBox" where they scan all incoming mail and emails it to you for as low as $10/month.
And even if you can't have burner phones anymore in the EU, the cheapest plans are even cheaper than $10/month.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Where does it say it has to be your personal phone number or home address?
Here, you can get a digital "PostBox" where they scan all incoming mail and emails it to you for as low as $10/month.
And even if you can't have burner phones anymore in the EU, the cheapest plans are even cheaper than $10/month.

Just about to post the same. Use a business address service.

 

[jz0309]

So if I read this correctly it impacts everyone who wants to sell apps in the EU, regardless of where they live… sounds to me that number of apps available in the EU will shrink… at the same token, having contact info for a developer whom I pay is a good thing, I think

 

[breenmask]

Meanwhile in the USA, Google's android app store is a monopoly ( https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/14/24220491/epic-google-android-app-store-monopoly-remedies-hearing ), if the bar is set so low, Apple's app store has got to be a monopoly.

don't see the relevance to what I'm saying.