Apple has taken action against more than 135,000 apps in its EU App Stores following developers’ failure to provide the required trader status under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The move, reported by Appfigures via TechCrunch, marks the largest mass removal of apps from Apple’s platform since its inception.
The Digital Services Act, which officially became applicable to all online platforms on February 17, 2024, is designed to regulate online marketplaces and enhance consumer protection. Under Articles 30 and 31 of the DSA, app developers must declare their trader status when submitting new apps or updating existing ones for distribution in the European Union. This requirement aims to increase transparency by ensuring that app developers provide accurate contact and business information for consumer protection.
To comply with the new regulation, Apple set a February 17, 2025, deadline for developers to provide their trader information. Developers who failed to meet this requirement saw their apps removed from Apple’s EU App Stores. Although Apple has not permanently deleted these apps, EU users cannot access them until developers update the necessary details.
Any developer earning revenue from the App Store through downloads, in-app purchases, or advertisements is classified as a trader. Organizations must provide their phone number, email, address, and a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, while individual developers must submit their address, phone number, and email. The requirement ensures that consumers can verify and contact app developers when needed.
Although Apple removed the affected apps from EU App Stores, developers can restore them by updating their trader status through the App Store Connect platform. After developers provide the required information, Apple will reinstate the apps for European users.