As of today, app developers distributing apps on the European Union (EU) App Store must follow new rules, requiring them to provide a public address and phone number. This requirement stems from the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which aims to increase transparency for online platforms and businesses.
Key Changes for EU App Store Developers
The new regulations mandate that developers earn revenue through their apps by publicly displaying their contact information. This applies to apps sold on the App Store and those generating income through in-app purchases or advertisements. In short, if a developer’s app earns money in any way, they must provide a public address and phone number.
Developers who offer free apps with no ads or revenue-generating features are exempt from this requirement.
Enforcing Compliance
Starting today, developers must submit their public contact information to Apple before submitting new apps or updates to existing apps on the EU App Store. Failure to comply will result in the inability to release new app versions. Apple has given developers until February 17, 2025, to comply with this rule. After that deadline, non-compliant apps will be removed from the EU App Store.
Developer Concerns and Privacy Issues
Many developers have expressed concerns about the privacy implications of this new requirement. Independent developers, in particular, may not have separate business addresses or phone numbers, meaning they might need to disclose personal contact details publicly. While this has raised worries about privacy and security, Apple has no option but to enforce the rule to comply with the EU regulations.
Distinction Between Individual and Organizational Developers
The rules differ slightly for individual developers and organizations. Individual developers are required to display their address (or P.O. Box), phone number, and email address. For organizations, only a phone number and email address are mandatory. Users in the EU can find this information displayed just below the app description on the App Store.
Impact on the App Store
The new transparency measures, part of the EU’s broader efforts to regulate digital platforms, aim to ensure that consumers can easily contact app developers and businesses. While these changes may pose challenges for small developers, they are intended to protect consumers and provide a higher level of accountability within the digital marketplace.
In conclusion, the new rules set by the EU’s DSA are now active, and developers must act swiftly to comply. Although many developers may find this change inconvenient, especially regarding privacy concerns, failure to meet the new requirements could result in app removal from the App Store in the EU by early 2025.
