Missing retailer information: Apple kicks apps out of the EU App Store
The Digital Services Act obliges developers to file a so-called trader status. The deadline expired this week.
The App Store on the iPhone: New requirements for developers apply in the EU.
(Image: tre / Mac & i)
Apple has begun shutting down app providers in the EU unless they comply with new disclosure requirements in the European Union. The company had already issued a threat to this effect in January and is now carrying it out. The aim is to comply with new requirements under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), which will make it easier for users to contact software providers, among other things.
The deletion has begun
To this end, developers or software distributors must provide proof of so-called trader status in the app store. The DSA stipulates that traders (or dealers/traders) must also publish their address, telephone number and email address on online trading platforms such as the App Store. However, not all app sellers do this yet. Apple writes in its developer support area that the deletion has begun. “Since [February 18], apps without trader status in the European Union (EU) have been removed from the App Store until trader status can be submitted and verified by Apple.”
Videos by heise
Nevertheless, removal from the App Store due to DSA requirements does not mean that providers will lose this distribution option for all time. “Account holders or admins in the Apple Developer Program must submit their [Trader] status in App Store Connect to comply with the Digital Services Act.” Apple publishes detailed instructions on how to do this on its website. The warning has already been issued several times, so developers should actually be aware of the issue. It applies to the entire EU area, although Apple operates a separate App Store for each country.
Problem for indie developers
Smaller devs, especially from the USA, reacted with incomprehension to the DSA requirements. Some even announced that they would rather remove their apps from the EU app stores than publish their home address, which would be necessary if they lacked a business address.
Other developers were not even sure whether they fall under the “trader” category according to the DSA. However, this is relatively clear: if software is developed for profit and the provider is liable for VAT, they are almost certainly a “trader”.
Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt
Mit Ihrer Zustimmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen.
Ich bin damit einverstanden, dass mir externe Inhalte angezeigt werden. Damit können personenbezogene Daten an Drittplattformen (heise Preisvergleich) übermittelt werden. Mehr dazu in unserer Datenschutzerklärung.
(bsc)
