EU Crackdown: Apple’s App Store Unravels Mystery of Missing Vendors

Key Points:

• Apple has removed apps from the EU App Store that haven’t shared their contact information with customers.
• The move is in compliance with the EU’s Digital Services Act, which requires online platforms to verify and display contact information for developers who make revenue from apps.
• The requirement applies to developers who make revenue from in-app purchases, ads, or direct sales, but exempts free apps with no ads.

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As the deadline arrived, Apple has begun removing apps from the EU App Store that have not provided their "trader" contact information, as specified by the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). This rule change requires companies to verify and display contact information for any "merchant" that distributes digital applications. This affects the App Store, as developers making revenue from their apps must comply with the new requirement.

The definition of a "trader" in EU terms means any developer who generates revenue as a result of an app, whether it’s through direct sales, in-app purchases, or advertisements. This means that developers who only provide free apps with no advertisements are exempt from providing their contact information.

To comply with the new rules, developers can check their trader status and share their contact information with Apple through the App Store Connect platform. The required information includes:

• For individual developers: address, P.O. box, phone number, and email address
• For organizations: only phone number and email address, which will be displayed on each app’s page in the App Store

These changes aim to increase transparency and accountability among app developers, providing users with easier access to essential information about the companies behind the apps they use. As the App Store continues to evolve, developers must adapt to these new regulations to maintain their presence in the European market.

Going forward, when browsing the EU App Store, you’ll have access to this valuable information for the apps you use. Remember to check the contact details for your favorite apps to stay informed about their creators and how to get in touch.

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