Comment by jadamson
21 days ago
If your app is monetized, the contact details of your "business" are shown in the play store. For many smaller developers, this will just be their home address.
https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/thre...
That's absolutely correct.
That's why you have to have a business address, and get all your business admin ducks in a row, even if it's your first real monetized app. Your future self will always thank you!
It’s important to note that even if you app is not monetized and you don’t have any intention to, Google still requires all this information anyway (including uploading an ID picture and proof of address). Nothing really stops Google from publishing this information in the future.
A deleted comment mentioned this is an EU law, which is partially true, but there is also malicious compliance from Google’s side.
It's also a law in California, I'm pretty sure they say it on the page that requires it and that it would be displayed publicly. It was why I let my app expire.
This was not Google's decision, it was forced on them by the EU under their Digital Services Act:
https://9to5mac.com/2024/10/17/developers-address-phone-numb...
The same thing was applied to the Apple store at the same time.
This directive only apply if you are trading (aka making money) with the app. Why does Google force-collect all this information when you can opt to not be a trader (no in-app purchases, no ads, etc)?