D&B are used by most businesses for both verification and a credit rating for the business. It's not specifically tied to Apple unless something changed recently but I would have no doubt that Apple utilize them. For example I had to use our companies D&B number to get SSL certificates from Digicert/Geotrust.
If they are selling their customers information that should be directed to the privacy and legal departments of every company that uses them.
Apple forces companies publishing apps to the App Store to get a DUNS number. A large part of the customer support segment of the site is specifically for Apple developers (so I assume it is a large part of their business).
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If they are selling their customers information that should be directed to the privacy and legal departments of every company that uses them.
2 month wait for Apple enterprise verification for the app store.
Then another 2 months because the client had signed up for the wrong sort of enterprise program.
Tried contacting support, no dice. Tried tcook@apple.com and got some useless functionary.
Terrible time all round.