Apple wants developers to submit their EU trader status now

Apple is giving App Store developers and booksellers a heads-up that they have to update their details with a trader status by February, to meet EU Digital Services Act rules.

Apple has to follow the rules of the EU Digital Services Act with its various online stores, not just the App Store. Due to some of the rules requiring action from store participants, Apple has notified developers on its News and Updates page that changes will need to be made.

Apple has also emailed other participants of its digital storefronts, including eBook sellers who offer publications through the Apple Books Store.

In the Apple Developer site notification, it advises that Account Holders or Admins in the Apple Developer Program need to enter their trader status within App Store Connect.

From October 16, the trader status will need to be reported in order for app updates to be submitted for the App Store. Furthermore, all apps without any applicable trader status will be removed from the App Store in the EU until the status is provided and verified.

Apple also offers a link to developers on how to submit the trader status.

In the email via iTunes Connect to booksellers as seen by AppleInsider, the same information has to be provided to keep their books in the Apple Books Store.

As part of the Digital Services Act, Apple has to verify and display trader contact information for all traders distributing apps in the App Store, and likewise for other storefronts. This information includes an address, phone number, and email address, which will be posted to the product page.

9 Comments

camber 26 comments · 9 Years

About 3 months ago

It would be helpful of this story explained what 'trader status' is!

VictorMortimer 239 comments · New User

camber said:

It would be helpful of this story explained what 'trader status' is!

Why bother to do that when the official fanboi narrative is "EU bad"?

teejay2012 406 comments · 12 Years

camber said:

It would be helpful of this story explained what 'trader status' is!

Good question! Guidance for this is steeped in 'bureaucrat speak'. Apple has stated that it can't determine whether you're a trader. It is up to app developers to whether they are a trader for EU law purposes as the European Commission (EC) notice on what constitutes a trader is not specific to digital commerce. The DSA defines a trader as “any natural person, or any legal person irrespective of whether privately or publicly owned, who is acting, including through any person acting in his or her name or on his or her behalf, for purposes relating to his or her trade, business, craft or profession.” Clear? LOL

chasm 3597 comments · 10 Years

camber said:

It would be helpful of this story explained what 'trader status' is!

If you make money by making and selling apps, you're a trader (at least as pertains to App Stores).

If you are a trader, then the EU requirement is not just that Apple have your contact info, or the EU has your contact info, but that anyone can know your contact information.

nubus 617 comments · 8 Years

The simple solution for Apple would be "if your company want to distribute the app (in any of the 27 countries) your company must provide mail + phone number". Seems pretty basic for someone offering an app to provide contact info.