I'm an Irish software developer and former Apple Developer Program member. Earlier this year, Apple blocked my access to App Store Connect after incorrectly identifying me as someone on a US government restricted-party list. and now they're blocking me from (re)enrolling in the Apple devloper program.
Apple stated:
"The information you provided fully matches one or more restricted parties on the U.S. government consolidated screening list or another government's sanctions list."
The problem is that the listed individual is not me.
The match appears to relate to a 2009 US Bureau of Industry and Security Entity List entry for someone called Sean Byrne, associated with Mac Aviation in County Sligo, Ireland, and a case involving the illegal export of military aircraft components to Iran.
My full legal name is Sean Joseph Byrne. I've never lived at the listed address, have no association with Mac Aviation, and have provided Apple with my passport, driving licence and an explanation of the false match.
More significantly, US federal court documents describe "Sean Byrne" as an alias used in the Mac Aviation case, rather than an independently identified individual.
Despite providing this evidence and repeatedly contacting Apple Developer Support since January 2026, I've received no substantive response. I remain unable to re-enrol in the Apple Developer Program or establish a new developer account.
Original Apple Developer Support case: 102796456649
I've documented the entire situation, including links to the US government records and court documents, here:
https://conic.al/writing/the-other-sean-byrne-doesnt-exist/
I understand Apple's legal obligation to perform restricted-party screening. I'm not asking Apple to bypass those checks. I'm asking Apple to distinguish between two different identities and provide a means of correcting a demonstrably false match.
Could someone from Apple Developer Relations or Developer Program Support help escalate this to the appropriate compliance team for manual review?
I'm happy to provide my existing correspondence, identity documentation and supporting evidence privately through Apple's secure channels.
Thank you.