Mobile App Development and Compliance
Mobile app development and compliance
Whether you are building an in-house app, outsourcing development or launching on the app stores, mobile apps bring a host of legal considerations – from concept to release, monetisation and beyond.
We are highly experienced technology and data lawyers who are adept at advising clients across the entire lifecycle of an app. Helping developers, investors, companies and brands navigate the commercial contracts, platform terms and industry practices that shape the global app economy.
We can support you with:
App development and support contracts
We help clients structure robust development and support agreements that clearly define the scope of work, timelines, deliverables, intellectual property ownership, and service levels. Whether you're working with an in-house team or outsourcing to a third-party developer, we ensure your contracts protect your interests and align with your commercial goals. Our team also advises on agile, waterfall, devops, etc development models, change control mechanisms, and post-launch support arrangements to ensure long-term success and accountability.
End-user licensing agreements and T&Cs
Your app’s end-user licence agreement (EULA) and terms and conditions are critical for setting expectations with users and limiting your liability. We draft clear, enforceable terms that comply with consumer protection laws, are compliant with the app stores policies and reflect your business model - whether freemium, subscription-based, or ad-supported.
Compliance with the major app store terms and conditions
Each app store has its own complex and evolving set of rules. We help you navigate the Apple App Store and Google Play Store requirements, from content standards and functionality restrictions to in-app purchase policies and data handling obligations. Our proactive approach helps you avoid costly rejections or takedowns by ensuring your app is compliant from the outset and remains so through updates and new releases.
Privacy and data protection
Mobile apps often collect and process personal data, making compliance with data protection laws essential. We advise on privacy-by-design principles, draft privacy policies and cookie notices, and help you implement appropriate user consent mechanisms. Whether your app uses analytics, location tracking, or third-party integrations, we ensure your data practices are transparent, lawful, and secure.
App transfer, sale and exit
Whether you're selling your app or transferring it to a new entity, we provide strategic legal support to ensure a smooth transition. We assist with due diligence, intellectual property assignments, contract novations, and regulatory notifications. Our team works closely with corporate and tax specialists to structure deals that maximise value and minimise risk, helping you realise the full potential of your app investment.
Dispute resolution including takedowns and IP infringement
Disputes can arise at any stage of an app’s lifecycle - from development disagreements and user complaints to takedown requests and intellectual property claims. We offer swift, strategic advice to resolve issues efficiently, whether through negotiation, mediation, or litigation. Our lawyers also supports clients in enforcing their rights against copycats, counterfeit apps, or unauthorised use of content, and in responding to platform enforcement actions.
You are the developer!
It is worth nothing that Apple and Google consider the publisher as the developer. It does not matter whether or not you wrote the code in-house or outsourced the development. This means that if you are publishing an app, you must comply with the relevant platform’s terms and conditions.
Apple and Google developer terms
Mobile apps distributed through Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store must comply with the platforms terms which govern everything from app content and functionality to data handling, user transparency and revenue sharing.
We are familiar with the platform terms, and we support clients helping them to pre-empt compliance issues before they arise.
App development can be exciting and fasted paced, but overlooking the legal foundations can result in:
- Loss of revenue due to app takedowns, platform fee disputes or non-compliance
- IP uncertainty, especially if development has been outsourced
- Regulatory exposure, particularly around data privacy and consumer protection
- Reputational harm, from negative press or platform restrictions
We support you in ensuring your app is legally compliant, commercially sound and platform ready.
- Core systems (ERP, CRM, finance, HR, ITSM, DBMS)
- Off-the-shelf, configured, developed solutions
- Hardware/ infrastructure
- IT services (managed, outsourced, multi-sourced)
- Building IT offerings
- Software developments
- Monetising IT offerings
- Supply agreements
- Revenue models
Meet our team
Jaskeerat Sanghera
Managing Associate
Testimonials
MM
I have had the pleasure of working with Deryck Houghton on a wide range of contentious and non contentious legal matters. I have always found that...
Martin McCloskey, Group Commercial Director
Capita Group plc
"The team has highly qualified people who are approachable, understanding and helpful. They are swift in response, agile and articulate."
Chambers & Partners, 2025
"They have a good mix of background expertise combined with a pragmatic approach and industry knowledge."
Chambers & Partners, 2025
"Freeths are very knowledgeable in the sector."
Chambers & Partners, 2025
The team are highly skilled and experienced, sharing unique insights to solve problems and offer potential solutions.
The Legal 500, 2024
They are very hands-on and join meetings, supporting our teams and working collaboratively.
The Legal 500, 2024
They are also very responsive and helped when timescales were tight.
The Legal 500, 2024
They are skilled, articulate and levelled.
The Legal 500, 2024
Competitive, risk averse problem solvers.
The Legal 500, 2024
Freeths provide training, articles, and know-how. They are excellent value for money.
Chambers & Partners, 2024
The team at Freeths are experts in their area, and are also extremely effective communicators.
Chambers & Partners, 2024
Loving technology
Our IT lawyers live and breathe all things digital and data
Speaking technology
Acronyms fill this sector. Our lawyers know most of them and love learning new ones
Embracing technology
Technology is critical to our success and something that we embrace
Contact us today
Whatever your legal needs, our wide ranging expertise is here to support you and your business, so let’s start your legal journey today and get you in touch with the right lawyer to get you started.
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