Apple announces App Store changes in the EU

"The European Commission is requiring Apple to make a series of additional changes to the App Store. We disagree with this outcome and plan to appeal."

Reading that made me very happy. It clearly shows that EU bureaucrats - despite their bad reputation - still have teeth when it comes to reigning in overly greedy US companies. Back in '98, the EU versions of Windows were very desirable, as they were free of bloatware. Soon, history might repeat with US consumers pretending to be in the EU to free their hardware.

As an independent developer, I wish the EU would reverse their decision to make me either doxx myself or not have paid apps in the EU App Store. Thankfully, right now my only app is free so I can get away with saying that I'm not a trader.

I'll probably just have to bite the bullet and form an LLC with a rented address and phone number once I get ready to release a paid app, which unfortunately just increases my costs even more for what is most likely to remain just a small side hustle.

I still don't see a good reason why independent developers like me should have to publish their personal address and phone number on the App Store. I'm not willing to put my family in danger like that.

> I still don't see a good reason why independent developers like me should have to publish their personal address and phone number on the App Store [for paid apps].

Because if someone purchases an app and there's a dispute with the product, they need a business address and/or phone number to contact and resolve the problem. It seems like a very good reason to me.

The point is to have an avenue for recourse/accountability when the developer is not behaving.

What's the recourse?

You've got a European consumer, a $5 App Store app, and some contact info in the United States, or some other country. What exactly do you think is going to happen in that situation?

The accountability for App Store developers is via Apple, not via some address and phone number. App Store consumers request a refund through Apple, or if there's some other problem with the developer, the consumers report it to Apple, who has the developer's contact info regardless of whether the developer is a trader in the EU.

The recourse is sometimes a lawsuit or criminal charges.

If your app say, defrauds someone and steals money from their bank account, then you as the developer are liable.

A refund of the app isn't going to cover it.