Cupertino/Berlin, February 18, 2025 – Apple has removed all apps from its European Union App Store that have not provided the required contact information mandated by the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The new requirement, outlined in Articles 30 and 31 of the DSA, compels app developers to disclose their address, phone number, and email when submitting new apps or updates for distribution in the EU.
Apple announced on Tuesday that as of the DSA deadline, all apps lacking “trader status” information have been deactivated. The company confirmed that these apps will remain offline until developers supply and verify the necessary details. According to app intelligence provider Appfigures, nearly 135,000 apps have been removed from EU member state App Stores over the past 30 hours.
The DSA stipulates that any app generating revenue - whether through paid downloads, in-app purchases, or advertising—or used in connection with a trade, business, craft, or profession, must provide this information. The regulation aims to ensure transparency and accountability, particularly as it relates to consumer rights and public interest research.
The new trader information is now prominently displayed in the EU App Store, appearing below the app’s age rating and supported languages, but above the link to the developer’s website. This change has had a significant impact on smaller and independent developers who often operate as hobbyists or run their businesses from home, typically listing only an email address for customer support. Many have had to resort to using coworking spaces, virtual offices, or PO boxes to comply with the new requirements while safeguarding their privacy.
Developers were aware of the February 17, 2025 deadline, but the swift implementation of these measures underscores the strict enforcement of the DSA. As Apple continues to review and verify compliance, affected apps will only be reinstated once all required trader status details are provided.
The purge highlights the broader impact of the DSA on digital marketplaces in the EU, reinforcing the balance between regulatory oversight and the operational challenges faced by developers in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
At least eight people have died and 32 others were injured after a freight train collided with a public bus at a railway crossing in Bangkok on Sat...
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could destroy Iran’s infrastructure “in two days,” while Tehran warned the U.S. would...
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping sought to project stability and renewed dialogue during a closely watched summit in Beijing...
Ahead of next week’s World Urban Forum (WUF13), Baku State University and Azerbaijan’s State Committee fo...
French authorities have opened a new judicial inquiry into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, bringing renewed legal attention to a c...
Apple and Meta have publicly opposed a Canadian bill they say could force technology companies to weaken encryption on devices and online services if it becomes law.
President Donald Trump has warned that the U.S. could impose "big" tariffs on British goods if the UK does not remove its digital services tax. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Trump said Washington was ready to act in response to the levy on major American technology firms.
Tim Cook, the tech boss who led Apple to become a $4 trillion company in its post-Steve Jobs era, is stepping down after 15 years in the top job. John Ternus, an Apple veteran of 25 years, who is currently the U.S. company’s Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will take over from September.
A coalition of women’s rights organisations, technology watchdogs and progressive campaigners is urging Apple and Google, owned by Alphabet, to remove the social media platform X and its associated chatbot, Grok, from their app stores.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and will only consider negotiations if Washington shows seriousness. His remarks came as talks on Iran’s nuclear programme continued, with Trump and Xi also opposing Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could destroy Iran’s infrastructure “in two days,” while Tehran warned the U.S. would face growing economic costs from the conflict. The remarks came as Hezbollah reported new attacks on Israeli forces despite an extended Lebanon ceasefire.
The second semi-final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest 2026 takes place tonight in a rain-soaked Vienna, with the final 10 places in Saturday’s grand final still up for grabs.
Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners of war as well as the bodies of fallen soldiers, on Friday (15 May). The swap came as Ukranian officials said Moscow had carried out its largest aerial attack over 48 hours since the conflict started.
A high-powered lawyer representing Elon Musk attacked the personal and professional credibility of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Thursday, as a landmark federal trial in California nears its conclusion.
Japanese filmmaker Koji Fukada has said that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to “jump straight to the result” risks undermining the purpose of art, which he believes should be rooted in self-expression and a deeper understanding of the world.
The Spanish government has issued a defiant message to Silicon Valley, confirming it will push ahead with stringent new legislation designed to make social networks and Artificial Intelligence (AI) demonstrably safer.
A robotics startup says it has built an AI “brain” that can teach humanoid robots new physical skills in days rather than months, as the race to deploy human-shaped machines in factories and warehouses accelerates.
Apple and Meta have publicly opposed a Canadian bill they say could force technology companies to weaken encryption on devices and online services if it becomes law.
European Union countries and European Parliament lawmakers have agreed on a softened version of the bloc’s landmark artificial intelligence rules, including delayed implementation, in a move critics say reflects growing concessions to major technology firms.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment