Apple recently announced that developers offering apps on the EU App Store will be required to provide their phone number, address and email address starting October 2024. This measure is part of the new requirements of the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA). If you are a developer on the App Store, you need to prepare for these changes to remain active in the EU market.
The European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA) brings far-reaching changes for companies that offer digital services in Europe. For developers in the App Store, this means that they must disclose their so-called "merchant status". The aim of this legislation is to create more transparency and security for consumers. However, this requirement poses major challenges, especially for small developers and independent app producers.
What does merchant status mean for developers?
As a developer on the EU App Store who generates revenue through direct sales or in-app purchases, you will now be classified as a "merchant." This applies regardless of the size of your company or whether you work alone. Merchant status requires you to make specific contact information publicly available, including your address, phone number, and email address. This information will be visible to all users of the EU App Store. Apple has announced that this rule will become mandatory from October 16, 2024. This means that you will have to provide this data before you can submit an update to your app. From February 17, 2025, apps that do not meet the requirements will be removed from the EU App Store.
Why is Apple making these changes?
The changes are based on the requirements of the European Union's Digital Services Act, which aims to improve security and transparency in the digital space. Publishing contact information is intended to ensure that consumers can quickly contact the responsible developers in the event of problems or disputes. Apple is legally required to implement these rules and has no way of circumventing these requirements. However, for many developers, especially smaller teams and sole proprietors, this is a major change. There are concerns that publishing personal contact information could lead to an increased risk of abuse or harassment.
Preparing for the Changes
As a developer, you should prepare for these requirements now. Consider what contact information you want to provide and how you can manage it securely. If you don't have a separate business address or phone number, it might be a good idea to set it up now to protect your personal information. It's also advisable to complete your app updates and new submissions before October 16, 2024 to avoid potential delays. After that date, you won't be able to submit updates without providing the required merchant information.
Apple: Prepare your app for the EU-wide changes
The European Union's Digital Services Act brings significant changes for app developers in the EU App Store. Disclosing merchant status is a new challenge, especially for small and independent developers. However, it is crucial that you prepare early to remain active in the European market. Make sure you understand and implement the new requirements so that you can continue to successfully offer your apps in the EU App Store. You can find more information and specific instructions directly on the website from Apple. Prepare now to avoid surprises and complications. (Image: Apple)
