The EU’s new Digital Service Act requires software developers who are considered traders to provide their full name and address information if they are selling to consumers: https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-age/digital-services-act_en
So, people who are developing iPhone apps for the Apple App Store need to provide information on whether they are Apple Developer trader or not.
How to know you are Apple Developer Trader or Not?
EU defines 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.”
So, if you are making any money via Apple Developer program, such as, making money with ads, in app purchases, subscriptions, selling apps on a flat fee etc. you are regarded as a trader on EU’s eyes.
How to provide Apple Developer Trader Status?
In order to submit your documents to Apple you need to submit an official document under the Business section in your Apple Developer portal. This document needs to be a business or government document that states your full name and you need to provide your address and phone number. There are many languages supported to provide this document but you might need it to be translated into English because not all languages are supported for this document by Apple.
Is there a risk providing whether You are a Trader or Not?
Well… The EU wants all sellers to provide their names, addresses and sometimes their phone numbers in order for users to be able to contact the businesses that provide services to them. The idea behind it it seems helping consumers to reach out to corporations when they need help with their products. However, this might be exploited by the cyberbullies to doxx the person who provides their personal information on the internet.
How can you protect yourself from doxxing after providing your Apple Developer Trader Status?
It might be best to buy an eSIM or a physical SIM and a common office address to provide as business information. However, many small developers can’t do that due to the expenses that comes with them.
Now you understood that you are an Apple Developer trader or not, let’s talk about these regulations and how it effects businesses all around. You see, in the US many businesses does not comply with as much as regulations as the EU wants from businesses. As regulations grew thicker and harder to comply with, they will hinder businesses (especially small businesses) to thrive because of the complications that come with it. With all these regulations there will always be legal inquiries, legal ramifications, and potentially make it hard to operate a business, thus making people back off from entrepreneurial activities.
As regulations get worse and worse only businesses that have access to a lot of money will be able to provide services for users and small businesses or solo developers will cease to exists due to that. Thus, making the plainfield only available to big corporations and killing the competition. I think this will hurt the consumer the most because of the competition dying out. The EU considers these regulations to protect their users but in the end I think it will serve it as a bad turnout for the consumers.
