I would net about zero dollars if I paid for a PO box when combined with the app store subscription cost. So no, I don't think I will. Instead, I just won't offer my app in the EU.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Developers Now Required to Share Phone Number and Address on EU App Store to Meet 'Trader' Requirement
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Then what's NOT a trader?
With the previous answer I got, it seems like if I make a $1 with an app, and of course Apple forced me to create a business for that, I'm a trader.
Where do you see that? I read the linked article and it explicitly says the opposite; you can make money and still not be considered a trader.
Anyway as others have said this specific requirement makes no sense. Requiring devs to provide some way for users to contact them is totally reasonable. A snail mail address which nobody will ever use makes no sense. And a phone line devs are supposed to answer 24/7 in languages they don't understand also makes zero sense.
Email is the better option for both parties.
Email is the better option for both parties.
What’s even more ironic, part of why Apple handles(d) the payment, was if the customer had issues they would have a single point of contact vs dealing with someone from every app they have issues with.
It is/was good for the consumer, and could be good or bad for the developer depending on if apple shared customer issues with them.
cheapest "office" is $750/mo for about 200sqft. most indie developers don't do this.
minimally, a PO Box is needed and a spare phone line. most would rent it for a few months to get verified just to satisfy this random requirement and then lose it. so when customers ultimately do decide to do snail mail/call at 3am states side (for whatever reason), they're not going to get the support they need vs using email.
such a stupid requirement.
They should also require devs to have a fax number and carrier pigeon service just to make sure they cover all the antiquated means of communication that users will never actually use.
That's my issue. It's one of those wow this sounds great type of ideas, but once you stop and think about it, you realize that it doesn't really solve the issues. The nefarious **** companies that you are actually trying to go after with the law? They will work their way around the verification. They'll provide a ******** address in Russia or India or whatever, and get a ******** phone number and carry on as always. Small inconvenience as they continue to scam you.
If you've ever have a problem with an in app purchase or a subscription, or whatever, and think that you are going to actually be able to contact someone real and that they will fix your problem... I don't know what to tell you.
The phone number needs to be verified and to have a phone number in the EU (yes even prepaid) you need to have previously gotten your ID or Passport verified at the postal office or with an online video chat service.
With everything there are loopholes of course but generally speaking.
—-
It was a pain in the ass at work. We had to get a new dumb phone with a new number that we only used to get the verification code, same with the email and we will just turn off the phone unless we need to get something verified again
Not at all because it is requires by a law.
So, you believe that thanks to the GDPR I could ask to remove my revenue data to avoid paying taxes?
Stop being against EU just ro defend a$$le
A D-U-N-S number is required to even start the verification process and it does not allow PO Box as an address
A P.O. box and a virtual phone number are both affordable solutions, since you plan to make some money.
A P.O. Box does qualify. It explicitly says so in the linked doc from Apple.
From Apple’s linked info page in the story:
Individuals: You’ll need to enter the following for display on your App Store product pages:
- Address or P.O. Box
- Phone number
- Email address
It really doesn't matter what you think is necessary or not. What is relevant is the law. You may be lucky in your particular case in north carolina and if you only do business in that area. I really can't be bothered looking up the specific details for that state. But when you do business globally, which is the implied context of this topic, then you have global laws to comply with. Most countries operate in transparency and company registration details, and people with significant control in those companies is public information. Often provided free of charge through chambers of commerce, and sometimes at a nominal charge. Similarly when you deal with customer data you require registrations for such information handling, and those have associated obligations on how people can get in contact with with you. And when running a webpage there is also a bunch of rules and regulations.
So yes, you may be lucky and that north carolina is an outlier in the world. I doubt it, and what if someone out of state looks you up?
And by this thread, most don't seem to put appropriate legal protection in place for them either.
It is so risky to publish and take money for products whilst in the process making one personally liable.
Anecdotally, a few of my friends who are small developers and have one or two apps on the App Store are just going to withdraw from the EU store.
Their main concern was the phone number part.
Their main concern was the phone number part.
It's part of Digital Services Act (DSA) so its entire focus is on digital goods and services.
Yes, I have an incorporated company in Europa and I must publish my business address. It's my own home address and it's available in a searchable register run by the government.
Using this register, you can get my personal name. Then you can lookup my phone number which also is public to the whole world.
Stalkers: I wish
Trolls: 0
Criminals: 0
It seems American is so afraid of the world that they don't dare tell where they live...
It's good that developers are hit with crazy, unclear EU regulations when so many of them supported EU against Apple when it came to the DMA. The DSA is the sibling of the DMA.
Also, it's not enough to read the actual regulations. You need to read the EU commission's guidelines + some court rulings from The European Court of Justice to get the whole picture.
Last edited: