Digital Services Act: Apple asks developers to provide contact details
Developers who distribute apps and content via Apple's platforms in the EU must disclose their contact details, including their telephone number.
Apple has sent an email to registered developers reminding them to specify their retailer status and provide full contact details if necessary. If this information is missing, Apple will reject all submitted apps and updates that are to be released in EU countries from October 16. Apple is thus complying with the EU provisions of the Digital Services Act (Articles 30 and 31) and already announced this change in March.
Who is considered a trader?
Apple clarifies in the App Store Connect Help who must identify themselves as a trader and also refers to section 2.2 (The concept of a trader) of the corresponding EU guideline. In principle, all developers and companies that generate revenue through their apps count as traders. Non-profit organizations that are active in business must also identify themselves as traders. Anyone who offers their apps free of charge but earns an additional income through advertising is also considered a "trader".
Providers of genuine freeware not affected
Only developers of completely free and ad-free apps can state that they are not acting as traders. Accordingly, they are exempt from the obligation to provide their contact details and have them published by Apple.
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Contact details are publicly visible
According to the EU regulation, customers should always be able to see who they enter into a business relationship with when using apps, for example. Customers must also be able to contact companies and developers. This is why Apple publishes the address (or PO box), email address and telephone number in the App Store and on the associated website. Only individuals must provide their address. For companies, Apple also provides the D-U-N-S number (Data Universal Numbering System), a nine-digit identification number assigned by the B2B company data provider Dun & Bradstreet to uniquely identify companies worldwide.
Anyone offering apps in the EU must also confirm that they comply with the applicable rules of EU law. According to Apple, the information is checked before publication.
Providers of podcasts and books are also required to disclose their merchant status. Apple therefore publishes the contact details of traders in the Podcasts or Books app.
Those who do not specify their retailer status will be removed
Apple emphasizes that the company will remove all apps from the EU stores from 17 February 2025 if developers have not provided information on their trader status by then. In the email to developers, Apple indicates that the apps will be available in the store again once the information has been submitted.
Developers see invasion of privacy
Some indie developers already expressed their displeasure in March that Apple was publishing private data and the location of their own family with this obligation. However, Apple allows the specification of a mailbox. In addition, the telephone number provided only needs to be reachable so that a second number can also be entered.
(wre)
