I’ve never actually done it. I just ask ChatGPT how Microsoft stuff works these days. It’s read all their terrible documentation sites. This is what it says to get you started:
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Developers Now Required to Share Phone Number and Address on EU App Store to Meet 'Trader' Requirement
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I’ve never actually done it. I just ask ChatGPT how Microsoft stuff works these days. It’s read all their terrible documentation sites. This is what it says to get you started:
I don't see any reason a physical address is required; full stop. It's not like big developers are going to have any problem giving an address, it only impacts small developers. And for what possible purpose would a customer need an app developer's physical addresss? Phone? Personally think it's a bit much given that we're talking about an area with dozens of languages, but understand that others may disagree there. Email / social: sure. Website: sure. But physical address? Again what possible need would a customer have for that?
Half surprised the EU isn't requiring them to accept faxes too.
It does appear to only apply to those who are charging money. But it still costs money to publish an app, and most open source / free software organizations avoid the App Store due to its inherently closed and locked down nature.
WTF that's absolutely NOT explained in the article, in fact the article says the opposite. It clear says if you make any money at all, you're trader, this ****s over hobbyists that wanted to make revenue without posting their home address.
I love how people seem to think that having to require a physical address is a way to stop scammer. If people are saying "just get a PO Box" can't a scammer who's making huge profits easily do the same? Meanwhile an honest hobbyist dev who is already easily contactable via email has yet another cost to deal with.
I love how people say "just get a PO box" as if it's free. The yearly cost of a PO Box is more than I make from the EU. The vast majority of people that purchase my app are in the USA.
There's this thing called email. I answer them all the time. Do you honestly think I'm going to be quickly/regularly answering postal mail about an app?
Truth! I'm so far in now I'm not quitting but there sure are a lot of imediments.
That's one interpretation but others are that if you make money from it you're a trader. I'm not sure either way.
Exactly!
They don't make it easy with their trader description.
I love how people say "just get a PO box" as if it's free. The yearly cost of a PO Box is more than I make from the EU. The vast majority of people that purchase my app are in the USA.
Apple already has all of my personal information.
A trader has to supply a phone number and a physical address.
I really hope this is the case. My hobby app is not my profession and I don't live off of it. To me that seems not trader.
I've quoted that also but I've seen multiple people say that it doesn't work when you try to register with D&B. Hope that's not the case any more.
Agree 100%... It really isn't that hard... Folks are putting way to much into this.
Get a PO Box, and get a second business line. Problem solved. Besides, I wouldn't be using my personal stuff for business, get yourself the equivalent of an LLC or something along those lines in the UK.
I've been trying to register for a month now, their system is draconian. For example, to verify your phone number they want to send you at text message - most large businesses don't have a mobile phonenumber as their primary number, so instead you have get a call, which have to be intercepted by your switchboard. And you can't complete the registration without doing all steps at once. So if you later find out that you need some additional documentation, you need to start over again with the phone calls and all - terrible and very developer / business hostile.
Apple today reminded developers that the EU trader requirement in the European Union is now being enforced. Developers who distribute apps in the EU will now need to share information that includes address, phone number, and email address on the EU App Store.
Submitting updates for apps on the App Store in the European Union now requires trader information that's added via App Store Connect, with those details shared on each developer's App Store page. App updates can no longer be submitted without trader information, and starting on February 17, 2025, apps that do not have a trader status set will be removed from the App Store in the EU until trader status is provided and verified.
The Digital Services Act (DSA) in the European Union requires Apple to verify and display trader contact 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 either an upfront purchase price or through in-app purchases are considered traders, regardless of size.
Contact information for each developer that is considered a trader will be publicly available, and there will undoubtedly be some developers that are unhappy with the requirement. Independent developers and small companies may not have dedicated business addresses and phone numbers to provide, and will likely be reluctant to provide their personal contact information.
Apple warned developers about the upcoming trader status requirement earlier this year. As of now, trader information has to be provided before an app can be submitted for review.
Displaying trader status is a Digital Services Act requirement in the European Union, which means Apple has to implement 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 Now Required to Share Phone Number and Address on EU App Store to Meet 'Trader' Requirement
And if the cost of those outweigh the money you make in the EU? You're just supposed to eat it?
If that's the case then you probably aren't a trader under the DSA and wouldn't have to provide that info.
Can someone give me a UK estimate for adhering to these regulations, per year? PO Box address, telephone number. I've seen quite a wide range of estimates.
If you make $100/year for your app just because you have a hobby, how much will your business lose because you "just get a PO box" ?
I believe some people will suppress their app from the EU market because of all these insane rules.
If you only make $100/year, you're probably not a trader and you probably don't need to run out and get a PO box.
From everything I read, if you charge for your apps then you are a trader. One example (emphasis mine):
It all depends on what your business needs and want to serve customers, stay legal, and make money. The plumber next door doesn’t mind his own adres, own telephone and email. You tailor it to what you need.
Are you a sole trader, or a limited company?
A Royal Mail PO Box would cost you £424 per year. But if you're a limited company, Companies House will no longer accept a PO Box as your registered address (since March this year). Without that, I don't believe that D&B will show your PO Box address, and without that I don't think Apple will accept it. So, just use your home address (I do, it's fine, why exactly do people not want to do that?). If you're a sole trader it will be different; I can't comment on that.
A telephone number... so far, I don't think anyone has reported successfully using any kind of VOiP or virtual phone system with Apple's number verification. I tried with the AWS thing and it didn't work. (Did any of the people mentioning Microsoft Teams actually have success using that with Apple's verification, or was it just a suggestion?). So I think the best option would be to go to Tesco and buy their cheapest SIM card; maybe £10? That's what I did (see previous posts). If you actually plan to answer the phone if someone calls (I don't!), you also need a phone to put the SIM in - if you don't have a spare one, back to Tescos!
Answer to your question: £10, or £434, but more importantly it wastes a lot of time!
Yes... that is the cost of doing business... If you can't make a few hundred dollars a year making apps, then I don't know if I would be building apps.
Not to mention, tax write offs for all of the above.
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if you want to be anonymous as a developer, can we trust your apps? Not entirely in my opinion. There will always be this nagging, if they hide contact information what else do they hide? Perhaps giving an address or a PO Box would increase the creditability?