Developers without trader status: Apple threatens to kick out apps in the EU
Apple will soon throw programs out of the App Store if their commercial status is not clearly stated. Software developers must provide address details.
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Developers who want to continue offering their iPhone apps in the EU should urgently declare their "trader" status to Apple. If the information that Apple now also requires as to whether apps are offered commercially or not is missing, there is now the threat of being kicked out of the App Store: as of February 17, apps without clarified trader status will be removed from the App Store in the European Union, as the company has now announced.
Digital Services Act with new requirements for retailers
However, subsequent clarification and "verification if necessary" will make it possible to bring back the apps that have already been removed and offer them again for installation on iPhones and iPads in the EU, writes Apple.
As the reason for the measure, the company refers to new EU regulations, in this case the Digital Services Act ( – DSA). The regulation stipulates that traders (or dealers/traders) must also provide their address, telephone number and email address on online trading platforms such as the App Store. This is intended to make things more transparent for end customers.
Last year, Apple therefore asked developers to state their trader status and to provide – as a commercial provider – with additional data such as address and telephone number. These are displayed prominently on the app download page.
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Little understanding among smaller US developers
Indie developers, particularly from the USA, showed little understanding for the measure. Some announced that they would rather remove apps from the EU than publish their private address. Other developers were unsure whether they even fall under the "trader" classification. If the app is offered with the intention of making a profit and the provider is subject to VAT, it is likely to be classified as a trader in any case.
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