Starting in October, Apple will enforce a new regulation affecting App Store developers in the European Union, mandated by the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA). This rule requires developers classified as "traders" to disclose their contact information, including addresses and phone numbers, which will be visible to all users within the EU App Store.
The DSA aims to enhance transparency and accountability for digital platforms by ensuring users can easily access contact details for developers who monetize their apps. Under this regulation, any developer earning revenue from app sales, in-app purchases, or advertisements is considered a trader. This means that developers of paid apps and those with monetized features must provide their contact information, while those offering free apps with no in-app purchases or ads are exempt.
Individual developers will need to supply a physical address or P.O. Box, along with a phone number and email address. For organizations, only a phone number and email address are necessary. This contact information will be prominently displayed on the App Store page for each app, directly beneath its description.
Many developers, particularly small-scale creators, have expressed concerns over this new requirement. Some are apprehensive about sharing personal contact details, as they may not have separate business addresses or phone numbers. Despite these concerns, Apple’s role is limited to implementing the EU’s directives and cannot modify the requirements.
Developers have until February 17, 2025, to comply with this new policy. Failure to update their contact information by this deadline will result in their apps being removed from the App Store in the EU. For more details on the implementation and compliance, developers can refer to Apple’s official announcements.
