Mobile App Compliance Checklist: Legal Essentials Before Launch

Launching an app? Cool. Launching one that doesn’t get flagged, fined, or kicked out of the App Store like a naughty child at a five-star restaurant? Even cooler.

Here’s the thing: app stores, regulators, and privacy-savvy users all expect your mobile app to play by the rules right from the get-go…meaning from day one. Forget the “move fast and break things” era–today, moving fast without reading the legal fine print can break your bank account, your reputation, or your ability to even get your app listed.

This checklist is your legal survival guide. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if  you're a solo developer coding in your basement or a startup with big dreams (and a small legal budget), we’ve got you covered with the essentials. You focus on building something brilliant, and we’ll help you make sure it’s launch-ready and lawsuit-proof.

To estimate your app’s budget and core requirements, try the App Cost Calculator — it gives you an approximate cost and checklist before development.

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Business Structure Matters: Don’t Launch as “You, Inc.”

Sure, it’s tempting to slap your name on everything and hit “publish.” However,  launching an app under your personal name is full of risk, which can lead to considerable worry. 

Yes, it might work… until it doesn’t. If something goes wrong (say, you receive a privacy complaint, a contract dispute, or your app gets accused of copyright infringement), your personal assets, including car, savings, and house, are all fair game.

That’s why forming a business entity is step one. Specifically? A Limited Liability Company (LLC).

Benefits of forming an LLC before launch:

• Personal liability protection: So your app’s legal mess doesn’t become your personal mess.
• Professional credibility: App stores, vendors, and even users take you more seriously when you're “AmazingApp LLC” instead of “Some Guy’s Side Project.”
• Simplified contracts and IP ownership: Because it's easier to manage everything through a business than trying to retroactively fix things later.

And if you’re wondering how to form an LLC in Texas (or your own state), it’s easier than you think: file articles of organization with your state, pay a small fee, and boom… you’re legit.

Once your LLC is live, don’t forget:

• Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. You’ll need this to open a business bank account, hire employees, and sign agreements under your company name.
• Designate a registered agent. This person (or service) will receive all those lovely official documents and legal notices so they don’t get lost in your inbox–or worse, missed entirely.

Your business structure can protect your brilliant app and your bank account. Forming an LLC is a wise move for any would-be “app entrepreneur.”

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Privacy Policy and Terms of Use: Not Optional & Not Later

When launching an app you should always have a Privacy Policy or Terms of Use. This is simply a best practice, especially if Apple’s reviewing it. The majority of app stores demand them, regulators expect them, and users increasingly look for them.

Your Privacy Policy should clearly spell out:

• What data you collect, like location, contact info, usage behavior, etc.
• Why you collect it, and whether it’s shared with third parties.
• What users can do about it, such as opting out, requesting deletion, or seeing what you’ve collected.
• How to reach you; for instance, via email or contact form for privacy requests is essential.

Your Terms of Use should cover:

• What users can and can’t do with your app (no hacking, harassing, or reverse engineering, please).
• Disclaimers, especially if your app provides advice, recommendations, or relies on third-party content.
• Limitation of liability, so you’re not held responsible for things wildly out of your control.
• Intellectual property rights; make it clear who owns what: your code, your brand, your content.

Treat these documents like a seatbelt for your business. They won’t stop all potential accidents from happening, but they can prevent you from getting majorly hurt.

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Data Collection & Privacy Laws: Read the Fine Print

If your app collects emails, location data, and maybe even payment info–that’s okay and certainly common. But you need to remember that once you collect it, you’re on the hook for how it’s used, stored, and shared. And depending on where your users are located, you may be subject to a patchwork of privacy laws you can’t afford to ignore.

Key laws that might apply:

• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): If you have users in the EU, you’re required to get clear, informed consent, allow data access or deletion upon request, and ensure strong data security. Fines for noncompliance can reach into the millions–and trust us when we say that both big and small companies have been taken to task when violating GDPR.
• CCPA/CPRA (California Consumer Privacy Act): If California residents are using your app, you’ll need to provide disclosures, opt-outs for data sales, and options to delete personal information.
• COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act): If your app is aimed at kids under 13, or even just looks like it might be, you’ll need verified parental consent before collecting any data.

Practical compliance actions:

• Get clear, informed consent before collecting personal or sensitive data.
• Offer opt-outs where required, particularly for things like tracking or data sharing.
• Store data securely, and don’t keep it longer than necessary.
• Keep your privacy policy up to date, and make sure it reflects your actual data practices.

Think of user data as property that is simply borrowed. It’s not yours to exploit, and mishandling it can lead to major legal consequences. When in doubt, keep it transparent, minimal, and secure.

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App Store Guidelines

If you think getting your app into the App Store or Google Play is just a matter of clicking “submit,” we encourage you to think again. Both Apple and Google have strict rules that extend beyond whether your app works. Rather, they care about how it handles data, displays content, processes payments, and even how it looks.

One of the most common reasons apps get rejected? A vague or missing privacy policy. Apple especially is a stickler for transparency. If your privacy practices aren’t spelled out clearly, your app probably isn’t getting past review. And yes, even if it’s just collecting emails or analytics data.

Another red flag is when an app developer tries to tip-toe around in-app purchase rules. Both Apple and Google require that digital goods and subscriptions be purchased through their official systems, which means they get a cut. Trying to use external payment links without permission is a fast track to rejection.

Security issues, buggy functionality, or anything that creates a poor user experience can also get you booted. That includes crashing on startup or having broken links.

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Security Compliance and Best Practices

Security compliance isn’t just for the big players. Really, it’s pertinent to anyone who wants to stay in the app store and out of the headlines. From the grassroots, it’s necessary to lock things down so they’re secure and protected.  

Make sure your APIs and databases are secure–there is absolutely no storing passwords or tokens in plaintext allowed. Use HTTPS across the board to encrypt all communications. Build in solid user authentication, and protect user accounts from brute-force attacks or unauthorized access. And if a data breach ever happens, be prepared to notify users STAT as many laws require it.

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Intellectual Property: Don’t End Up in Court

If you want to keep your app in online stores and out of court then you need to approach intellectual property like the serious business asset it is. A single borrowed image or unlicensed audio track can land you in legal hot water.

Make sure:

• You own or have proper licenses for all code, graphics, fonts, images, and sound.
• You’re not using names or content that infringe on third-party IP (yes, even if it’s “just a placeholder”).

Consider registering your app’s name and logo as a trademark. This is especially true if it’s catchy, brandable, and part of the long game for your app business.

And if you’re working with freelancers or contractors in the development of your app or ongoing operations? Use contracts that include clear IP assignment clauses so there’s no confusion about who owns what.

Before you sign any dev contract, skim this breakdown of startup software-development contracts—five clauses that decide whether your code stays yours.