Apple purges apps without contact info from EU app store, as DSA deadline hits

A change requiring app developers to disclose their address, phone number, and email information to consumers has gone live on the App Store within the European Union. Apple on Tuesday announced it has removed any EU apps that haven’t yet complied with the Digital Services Act (DSA), a regulation that had added a requirement in Articles 30 and 31 that app developers must provide their “trader status” to submit new apps or app updates for distribution in this market.

In an announcement to developers, Apple says that, as of Tuesday, February 18, all apps without trader status have been removed in the EU App Store, and won’t be reinstated until their trader status is provided and verified by Apple.

A number of developers have been impacted by the change, data indicates. Likely, that’s because at least some don’t do app development as their full-time job. According to app intelligence provider Appfigures, nearly 135,000 apps have gone inactive on all EU member state App Stores over the last 30 hours.

Developers have known about the February 17, 2025 deadline for some time, so today’s announcement should not come as a surprise.

However, the EU law had a larger impact on smaller and indie app developers who don’t typically publicize their addresses or phone numbers for dealing with consumer complaints or inquiries. Often, these developers work from home and generally just list an email address on their website for feedback and customer support.

According to the DSA, any app that makes money through the App Store can be considered a “trader,” whether that revenue comes through paid downloads, in-app purchases, or even advertising. Also, the app would qualify if it’s being used in connection with a “trade, business, craft or profession” — meaning anything that wasn’t a hobbyist app would be covered by this DSA guideline.

Organizations publishing in the EU App Store must display their phone, email, and address associated with their D-U-N-S Number. Meanwhile, individual developers also had to include an address, phone, and email, the guidelines stated.

Smaller developers have found themselves needing to register addresses and phone numbers through third parties to give them some protection and privacy as a result of the new regulation. For instance, some developers used coworking spots, virtual offices, or PO boxes as their business addresses, while others signed up for virtual phone numbers instead of giving out their private numbers for publication on the public App Store.

In the EU App Store, the new “trader” information is now found below other app details like its age rating and supported languages, but above the link to the developer website.

Updated after publication with newly released data about the number of removals from Appfigures.