Thinking that one day I will gather courage and start learning the secrets of iOS application development, I enthusiastically accessed the Apple website dedicated to iOS application developers. I created a free account there, I found the page where the data must be filled in to purchase a $99 annual account that allows me to publish applications in the App Store, I filled in the forms with all my data and reached the point where I had to complete the trial. To my surprise, Apple didn't ask me (I'm glad that I'm brave enough to spend $99 on an account that probably won't be of any use) for the card data directly on the website page, but asked me to fill out a form that would I have to send it by fax to Cupertino.
I study the form (while I was wondering who to call to send a fax with my personal data to Apple) and I get to the part where Apple asks for some data that, from my point of view, should not be sent by fax to anyone. Apple asks Romanian developers to fax the following data: card number, expiration date, card type, CVV2 code, name on the card and user's signature. The first 4 data can be used ANYTIME and by ANYONE to make online purchases using your card and if you don't have internet banking at your bank then you won't find out anything until you find the empty card.
Now I know that Apple has a very strict confidentiality policy and all that, but how many people are willing to send a fax with the data of the card on which they receive their salary or on which they have their savings? I understand that those data are needed to process the payment, but I think that a payment made through the Apple website would be much safer for the user who, through this fax, willfully exposes his data to anyone. This step stopped me from creating a developer account with Apple and I don't even think about creating an account anytime soon if Apple maintains the same bad policy.
The rationale behind sending this fax is very simply explained on the Apple website. You live in a country that does not have an Apple online store or does not offer products dedicated to developers for purchase, so you must send this fax with your confidential data. So, until further notice, the developer account at Apple will be waiting for you.
Your country either does not have an Apple Online Store or does not offer Apple Developer Products for online purchase. To complete the purchase of your program, you will need to complete and fax the Purchase Form below.
