In an email, Apple reminded registered developers to determine their dealer status and, if necessary, provide full contact details. If this information is missing, Apple will reject all submitted apps and updates appearing in EU countries from October 16. Apple thus complies with the EU provisions of the Digital Services Act (Articles 30 and 31) and had already informed about this change in March.
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Who is considered in business?
Apple offers Connect Help in the App Store It is clear who has to identify himself as the dealer and also mention it Section 2.2 (Concept of Trader) Relevant EU guidelines. In principle, all developers and companies that generate income through their apps are counted as businesses. Non-profit organizations doing business must also identify themselves as dealers. Anyone who offers their apps for free but earns additional money through advertising is also considered a “merchant”.
Genuine freeware providers will not be affected
Only developers of completely free and ad-free apps can declare that they do not act as a merchant. Accordingly, they are exempt from the obligation to provide their contact details and have them published by Apple.
X ceases operations in BrazilContact details are publicly visible
According to EU rules, customers must always be able to see who they are entering into a business relationship with, for example when using apps. Customers must also have the ability to reach companies and developers. That’s why Apple publishes the address (or PO box), email address and telephone number on the App Store and the associated website. Only individuals need to provide the address. For companies, Apple also provides the DUNS number (Data Universal Numbering System), a nine-digit identification number assigned by the B2B corporate data provider Dun & Bradstreet to uniquely identify companies worldwide.
Anyone who offers apps in the EU must also confirm that they comply with applicable EU law. According to Apple, the information is checked before publication.
In App Store Connect, Apple asks you to set the merchant status under “Business.”
Providers of podcasts and books are also required to indicate their retailer status. For businesses, Apple therefore publishes contact details podcast Respectively: books app,
Anyone who does not specify their dealer status will be excluded
Apple emphasizes that the company will remove all apps from EU stores from February 17, 2025 if developers have not provided any information about merchant status by then. In an email to developers, Apple indicates that the apps will be available in the store again if the information is submitted later.
Developers see privacy violations
Some indie developers already expressed their dissatisfaction with Apple’s obligation to publish private data and their family’s place of residence in March. However, Apple allows you to specify a mailbox here. The stored telephone number only needs to be accessible so that another number can also be entered.
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