Digital Services Act - Trader self assessment
Art. no. 216101893
Apple has decided to act on the European Union (EU) Digital Services Act (DSA) legislation.
All Apple developer account holders must specify their trader status according to the Digital Services Act.
If the account holder does not provide nor verify information regarding their developer account then a) the iOS app cannot be updated; b) in-app payments may be delayed; c) Apple might decide to remove the iOS app from being available in certain countries or regions.
Am I a trader?
The account holder will be asked by Apple if they have a "trader provider account" or a "non-trader provider account", or, more simply: Are you a trader?
The definition of a "trader" is loosely defined, but in short it is any business acting for purpose relating to the trade or profession. In short, anyone who can gain financial gain by the iOS app or the content within.
For a Prenly app, the term "trader" is summarised as anyone whose content is not fully publicly available is considered a trader. If all your publications (regardless of which Prenly title they belong to) are freely available then you may not be a trader. If at least one publication requires login/subscription then you are a trader.
If you are not a trader, the account holder may select the option to inform Apple that the account is a non-trader provider account. However, since the term for a trader is loosely defined and Apple might have their own interpretation, it is recommended for any iOS account holder to specify the account as a trader-provider account to reduce complications moving forward.
This manual will assume that the account holder wants to specify the developer account as a trader-provider account.
Comply with Apple's requirement regarding the Digital Services Act
You will be asked to provide a phone number and e-mail address to comply with the requirements according to this manual and to provide and verify information regarding your developer account for Apple and the Digital Services Act.
Apple will publish this information publicly on the App Store in certain countries or regions.
Step 1 - Login to your Apple Developer Account as the account holder
Link that leads directly to the correct page https://appstoreconnect.apple.com/business/
Step 2 - Click Complete Compliance Requirements for *your account name*
Select the link starting with "Complete Compliance Requirements".
Step 3 - Click Complete Compliance Requirements (new page)
Select the link "Complete Compliance Requirements".
Step 4 - Select "This is a trader provider account" and then click Next
Select the option "This is a trader provider account".
Step 5 - Enter your phone number and email address
Enter your organisation's public contact information.
Step 6 - You will now be asked to verify your phone number and email address
Check your e-mail inbox for the e-mail from Apple and SMS from Apple.
Step 7 - Read through the information, and then click Confirm
Verify the information and select "Confirm" to complete.
Read more...
The Digital Services Act's (DSA) main aim is to reduce illegal, disinformation, and harmful activities on the Internet.
You'll be able to read more about the DSA via...
• Digital Services Act overview from the European Commission
• Digital Services Act (32022R2065) legislation