EU App Store will soon require iOS devs to display address and phone number

Starting in October 2024, significant changes are coming to the App Store in the European Union (EU) as developers will be required to disclose their contact information, including addresses and phone numbers. This move stems from the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates stricter transparency and accountability for online platforms.

The DSA’s new regulations are aimed at enhancing user safety and ensuring that consumers can easily contact app developers if needed. According to the new rules, developers who are classified as “traders”—those generating revenue through app sales, in-app purchases, or advertisements—must provide their physical address, phone number, and email address. This information will be prominently displayed below the app description in the EU App Store, making it accessible to all users.

Apple has communicated that developers must update their contact information by October 16, 2024, to continue submitting apps or updates. Developers who fail to comply with the new requirements by February 17, 2025, risk having their apps removed from the EU App Store.

For individual developers, this means sharing personal contact details, which has sparked concern within the developer community. Many small-scale developers may not have separate business contact information and are worried about the implications of making their personal data publicly available. On the other hand, organizations are only required to display their phone number and email address, providing slightly more privacy.