Windows Phone Store opens up in 42 more markets

In October, Microsoft announced that app developers for Windows Phone could submit them to be sold in 13 more markets. Late on Friday, the company announced yet another expansion, and this time Microsoft is allowing for Windows Phone apps to be sold in many, many more countries and territories around the world.

The Windows Phone Developer blog reveals that app developers can now submit their creations in 42 more markets, among which are Bangladesh, Liechtenstein, United Arab Emirates and Pakistan. Microsoft states, "With the 42 new markets, Windows Phone Store is now available online to customers in 113 markets worldwide."

Microsoft also revealed that app developers can now put in a URL that links to a privacy policy for their app. The blog states:

With ever-increasing attention to app privacy practices, we encourage you to have an adequate privacy notice in place. By adding a link to your privacy notice, we can surface this important information in the Windows Phone Store for review by users prior to downloading your app.

The blog also gives some details on new requirements for placing ratings for Windows Phone games if they are sold in Taiwan and Russia, along with a way for apps to validate the email addresses of beta testers if they release beta versions of their apps. Finally, Microsoft says, " ... we have decreased the keyword field length to 30 characters to keep the keywords focused on those that best describe your app and to deliver the most accurate search results."

Source: Windows Phone Developer blog