Common Legal Missteps When Launching Your App via the App Store or Google Play
- Jackie Atchison
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Intro
You’ve built the app. It’s tested, polished, and ready to go live. But before you hit submit—are your legal bases actually covered?
Listing your app on the Apple App Store or Google Play involves more than ticking boxes. From privacy to IP to compliance, skipping the fine print can lead to rejection, user backlash, or attention from regulators.
This post outlines the most common legal mistakes founders and developers make—and how to avoid them.
Why It Matters
Both Apple and Google enforce strict rules for listing apps. But the bigger risk is legal compliance—especially under Australian consumer and privacy law.
If your app doesn’t meet the mark, you could face launch delays, penalties, or issues with user trust. And once your listing is public, your compliance (or lack of it) is on display.
What You Need to Know
No Privacy Policy (or the Wrong One)
If your app collects personal information—emails, device data, preferences, or location—you must include a clear privacy policy.
Don't just reuse your website version unless it matches what the app actually does. It should explain:
What data is collected and why
How it’s stored, used, or shared
Whether third parties are involved (e.g. ads, analytics)
How users can access, update, or delete their info
No In-App Terms of Use
The app store’s terms don’t cover you. You need your own in-app terms that:
Set usage rules
Cover licensing or subscription terms
Limit liability and clarify disclaimers
Allow for suspension or termination of access
These should be shown or accepted when users first open the app or sign up.
Copyright and IP Gaps
If you’re using third-party assets—like APIs, fonts, music, or icons—you need the right licences.
And if someone else developed the app (or parts of it), make sure you own the final IP, not just the build.
Tip: Don’t upload screenshots, marketing content or features to your app store listing unless you have the rights to use them.
No Refund Policy or Support Details
Apps are digital products—and they’re still covered by Australian Consumer Law. If something doesn’t work as promised, users may be entitled to a remedy.
Make it clear:
What support you offer
When and how users can contact you
How subscriptions can be cancelled or managed
App stores expect a support experience that’s transparent and easy to access.
Unclear Permissions
Asking for access to camera, contacts or location? Make sure you explain why.
Poorly disclosed permissions can lead to user complaints—and regulatory scrutiny. Transparency matters, both for trust and legal compliance.
Commercial Insight
Launching your app is a public move—which means so are any legal gaps. A poorly written privacy policy or vague terms can be flagged by app stores, regulators, or unhappy users.
Getting the legal structure right from day one shows users and investors that you take compliance seriously—and that you’ve built something sustainable.
What to Do Next to Launch Your App
Review your app’s data collection and compare it to your privacy policy
Check your user terms cover subscriptions, support, and liability
Audit third-party assets, APIs, and developer contracts to confirm IP ownership
Make sure all permissions and data practices are clearly disclosed
Link terms and policies from within the app—not just the store listing
Closing Wrap
I help app founders and developers get launch-ready with privacy policies, user terms, and compliance advice that meet both app store requirements and Australian law. Whether you’re preparing to launch or already live, now’s the time to make sure your legal docs do their job.
