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I just launched an app in the Google Play Store. I did find it a bit weird that I had to provide my physical home address to get my app listed. Not sure what I
by gadders 3mo ago
I just launched an app in the Google Play Store. I did find it a bit weird that I had to provide my physical home address to get my app listed. Not sure what I would do if someone turned up to complain. Make them a cup of tea?
- r_lee 3mo agowell they can swat you, order pizza, send you packages (who knows with what inside), spread false info about you if you've given out more info etc... all it takes is one guy who gets too mad for some reason and it's gonna be a lot more costly for you to do anything about it vs. that guy who gets to be completely anonymous about it
- Arnt 3mo agoHow? I don't see the address published. They can sue you and Google will give your address to the court, clearly. But swat? Send packages? How?
- wiseowise 3mo agoDon’t know about US, but in EU you legally have to publish your address and it will be shown on the store page if your app has ads or in-app purchases.
- Arnt 3mo agoI see. I looked at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.faircode.email https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.faircode.em... and saw nothing. I can see why your address is shown if you offer something for sale. Ads, that puzzles me.
- nicce 3mo ago> I see. I looked at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.faircode.em https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.faircode.em... and saw nothing. I can see? FairCode B.V. marcel+play@faircode.eu <redacted> Anyway, ads are just a sidechannel for purchase. There is a product advertised, someone buys it and developer gets the cut from the seller of the product. This is how ads work.
- Izkata 3mo agoJust in case they're looking in the wrong place (looks like they moved where this information was since I last looked), you have to expand it in the sidebar on the right.
- gadders 3mo agoYou need to put a literal physical address and not even a PO Box is allowed.
- gadders 3mo agoNot sure how well swatting works in the UK, and pizza deliveries are all pre-paid. But yeah, you could have a loony turn up.
- someonebaggy 3mo agoThis is so that you can be sued or prosecuted if the app is malicious.
- realusername 3mo agoThere's no such requirement for publishing a website
- someonebaggy 3mo agoThere is - every server host does KYC and so does every domain registrar (by law). If you're found to have provided incorrect details, it allows them to immediately remove your server or domain without notice.
- realusername 3mo agoNo there isn't, Google's requirement is to put that information publicly for everybody to see. That's not nearly the same thing as being available on court request. With that policy, Google encourages stalkers and put developers in danger.
- Izkata 3mo agoA California law around a decade ago started it (a consumer protection law I think, something like requiring customers to have an address they can contact any seller at), and Google lazily applied it to everyone. I would have been fine just preventing Californians from downloading my app, but that wasn't an option so I just let my app die.
- someonebaggy 3mo agoIt would make sense if it was only if your app costs or handles money.
- Natfan 3mo agodoes GitHub require KYC for .github.io pages? does neocities? does 111freewebhosting?
- Izkata 3mo agoIt's because of a law in California. Don't remember the reason behind it, but Google decided to apply it everywhere. It's also why I let my app die years ago instead of publishing the updated version.
- einpoklum 3mo agoYou should not distribute apps via the Google Play Store. Using alternative means, including F-Droid as relevant. And it was a mistake of you to register, because you're helping Alphabet exert more pressure and control on others.