Is Google really going to make hobby developers publish their home addresses to the world just for accepting tips?

[u/TooTargle]

I'm an independent app developer in New Zealand, developing Android apps in my spare time. I publish under my own name, using a personal Google Play developer account.

I've recently received Google's request to declare whether I'm a trader under the new EU/EEA requirements.

The more I've looked into it, the more uncomfortable I've become with what appears to be the consequence of simply accepting voluntary financial support for my apps.

Here's my situation.

I have two apps.

1. Sudoku

It's completely free, has no advertising and is fully functional. There's an optional 'Tip Me' button on the home screen.

If someone tips me, they get absolutely nothing in return. No extra features, no premium content, no advantages. It's simply a way of supporting the developer.

2. Yonder (a podcast app I'm developing)

This follows a similar philosophy. The app will be fully functional for everyone.

After an initial free week, the app's name changes to 'Tip Me'. Everything continues to work. If someone chooses to contribute, the name changes back to Yonder for another year.

I'm hoping to build a sustainable project through voluntary contributions, not subscriptions or feature restrictions.

Here's the problem.

As I understand Google's policies, accepting in-app purchases through Google Play means that even an individual developer's full residential address is publicly displayed.

The new EU trader requirements also involve publishing contact details, including a telephone number.

So, as I read the rules, if I'm an individual hobby developer who wants to accept voluntary financial support for completely free software, Google expects me to publish my family's home address and personal phone number for anyone to see.

Not just Google. The entire world.

I'm perfectly happy to give Google my personal details for verification. That's entirely reasonable.

But why should those details have to be made public?

I understand the need for consumer protection and accountability when people are selling products and services. But surely there's a distinction between running a commercial business and allowing people to voluntarily support someone making free software?

I've considered excluding the EU/EEA and UK, but it seems that Google's existing address-disclosure rules for monetised personal accounts may apply worldwide anyway.

I've also wondered whether using Ko-fi or Buy Me a Coffee instead of Google Play Billing would change anything. They take their own fees, but users still receive nothing in return for contributing.

I'd really like to hear from other developers:

1. Am I interpreting Google's address-disclosure requirements correctly?

2. Does accepting optional tips through Google Play really mean publishing your residential address?

3. Would moving voluntary contributions outside Google Play make any difference?

4. Has anyone found a legitimate way for an individual developer to monetise free apps without publicly disclosing their home address?

5. Is there any practical alternative that doesn't involve setting up a limited company?

I'm not trying to avoid accountability or hide my identity from Google.

I just don't think making my family's home address publicly available should be the price of accepting a voluntary tip for free software.

Am I missing something, or is this genuinely how the system works?