For a long time, Apple has kept a tight grip on the applications that can be used on iPhones, with a distinct rule against any form of pornography. However, this has now shifted, at least in Europe. An adult content application named Hot Tub has appeared on iPhones through a different app marketplace, raising significant concerns from Apple.
EU Legislation Changes the Game
The app is marketed as an “adult content browser” and allows users to access videos from well-known adult websites such as Pornhub and XHamster. However, it isn’t accessible through the official App Store. Instead, Hot Tub can be found on AltStore PAL, which is an independent app marketplace that emerged due to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). This important law compels Apple to permit third-party app stores, offering developers greater flexibility to share their software beyond Apple’s conventional restrictions.
Apple Responds to the Controversy
Though Apple claims it did not endorse Hot Tub, the app successfully completed its notarization process, a security measure aimed at eliminating malware and scams. This led AltStore PAL to dub it “the world’s first Apple-approved porn app,” a statement that Apple has strongly contested. In their response, the company stated, “In contrast to the misleading claims made by the marketplace developer, we absolutely do not approve of this app and would never allow it in our App Store.” Apple also voiced serious worries about the potential safety risks posed by adult content apps, especially regarding minors.
The Future of App Distribution
AltStore PAL, which was established by Riley Testut, has received backing from Epic Games, a firm that has been embroiled in a lengthy legal dispute with Apple concerning its app store regulations. Notably, Epic’s CEO Tim Sweeney has distanced the company from the situation, stating that Hot Tub is not available on the Epic Games Store.
Currently, Hot Tub is only accessible in the EU. Nonetheless, as alternative app stores become more popular, this may signal the onset of a new phase where Apple no longer has the ultimate authority on which apps iPhone users can download.
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