DSA Compliance & Apple Developer Accounts: What You Need to Know

The Digital Services Act (DSA) is a major EU regulation that has changed how app marketplaces — including the Apple App Store — must operate. If you publish or plan to publish apps on the App Store and target users in the European Union, understanding DSA requirements is no longer optional.

This guide explains what the DSA is, what Apple now requires from developers, and what it means when you buy and use an Apple Developer account.

What Is the Digital Services Act?

The Digital Services Act is an EU regulation that came into full effect in February 2024. It was designed to create a safer digital space by increasing transparency and accountability for online platforms. For app marketplaces specifically, this means:

• Platform operators (like Apple) must verify the identity of traders selling goods or services
• Developers who sell paid apps or in-app purchases to EU users must provide verified business information
• Platforms must be able to remove illegal content quickly and have clear reporting mechanisms
• Users must be able to see who they're buying from

How DSA Affects Apple Developer Accounts

Apple, as a large platform under DSA scope, is required to verify the identity of developers who distribute paid apps or apps with in-app purchases to EU users. This is what Apple calls the "trader status" requirement.

What Apple Now Requires:

• Trader verification: If you sell paid apps or in-app purchases, Apple requires you to submit business/personal identity documentation
• Contact information display: Your name and contact details may be shown to EU users on your App Store page
• Declaration of trader status: You must declare whether you're a "trader" (selling goods/services) or a "non-trader" (personal/non-commercial use)
• Annual confirmation: Apple requires annual re-confirmation of your trader status through App Store Connect

Trader vs Non-Trader — What's the Difference?

What This Means for Apple Developer Accounts by GEO

DSA requirements apply specifically to apps distributed in the European Union. If you have a developer account from a non-EU GEO and your app doesn't target EU users, the DSA requirements don't directly apply to you.

However, if your app is available on the EU App Store and monetizes EU users:

• Apple may prompt you to complete trader verification in App Store Connect
• Failing to complete verification can result in your app being restricted or removed from EU storefronts
• Corporate accounts are generally better positioned for DSA compliance since they already have a legal entity structure

Individual vs Corporate Accounts Under DSA

When it comes to DSA compliance specifically:

• Corporate accounts are naturally better aligned with DSA requirements — they already have a legal entity, business name, and formal contact information. If you need to sell to EU users at scale, Corporate is the right choice.
• Individual accounts can still be DSA-compliant for trader status, but require submitting personal identification. For many use cases (non-EU markets, free apps, or affiliate-style publishing), this isn't a concern at all.

Steps to Stay DSA-Compliant

1. Log into App Store Connect and check if Apple has sent any DSA-related notifications or prompts
2. Declare your trader status — Apple's interface will guide you through this process
3. Submit required documentation if prompted (for traders selling to EU users)
4. Review your app's EU availability — if you're not targeting EU users, consider limiting distribution to non-EU storefronts
5. Confirm annually — Apple requires yearly re-confirmation

What We Recommend

For most of our clients — developers working with multiple accounts, affiliate publishers, and app teams focused on non-EU markets — DSA requirements are either minimal or entirely non-applicable. The key things to keep in mind:

• If you monetize EU users → declare trader status and complete verification
• If you publish free apps or target non-EU markets → DSA requirements are significantly lighter
• If you need full EU market access with monetization → consider a Corporate account
• Keep your App Store Connect notifications active so you don't miss Apple's annual prompts