Apple today reminded developers who want to distribute apps in the European Union to disclose their distributor status. This requirement requires the App Store to share each developer’s address, phone number, and email address. The information will be displayed on the developer’s App Store page.
The Digital Services Act (DSA) in the European Union requires Apple to review and display the merchant agreement information of all “merchants” who distribute apps on the App Store in the European Union. Developers who earn money on the App Store through an upfront fee or through in-app purchases are considered merchants, regardless of their size.
The contact details of all developers classified as merchants will be publicly available, and many developers are unhappy with this requirement. Independent developers and small businesses may not have business addresses and phone numbers to provide, and are understandably reluctant to provide their personal contact details.
Starting October 16, 2024, Apple will require merchant status to submit app updates. Merchant information must be provided before an app can be submitted for review. On February 17, 2025, apps without merchant status will be removed from the App Store in the EU until merchant status is provided and reviewed.
Because displaying merchant status is a requirement of the Digital Services Act in the European Union, Apple has no choice in implementing this feature. The developer’s contact information is displayed on the App Store product page when an app is distributed in one of the 27 EU territories.
For more information about who is considered a reseller and who is required to provide contact information, visit Apple’s website.
Link to article: From October, developers will have to provide a phone number and address in the EU App Store to meet the “Trader” requirement
