Hot Tub Is 1st iPhone Porn App: Apple Warns Of User Safety In Rare Statement – Forbes
Updated Feb. 5 with more details and responses from Tim Sweeney at Epic.Apple has been consistent in not allowing pornography into the App Store. But changes in the EU have allowed independent app stores to launch. So, the arrival of the first porn app in the AltStore PAL store has caused a commotion—and Apple has taken the rare step of commenting. Since the announcement, more details have emerged and Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic has responded to what Apple has said.Porn comes to the Apple App Store in the Hot Tub app.The app is called Hot Tub and launched on Monday, Feb. 3 in the AltStore PAL app store from developer Riley Testut and is described as an adult content browser. A description of the app as “the first Apple-approved porn app” has been hotly contested by Apple, not least because the approval system in the EU for app stores other than Apple’s is much less comprehensive, designed to check on app functionality and safety, for instance.Apps in these alternative app stores in the EU simply require notarization rather than the more extensive approval process usually applied.AltStore PAL “says they didn’t have any issues getting the app approved, though that’s likely because Apple has often used pornography as an example of the kind of app they now must allow under the DMA,” Tech Crunch reports.Since marketing suggested that the app had been approved, Apple has pushed back forcefully. The company sent me a statement.“We are deeply concerned about the safety risks that hardcore porn apps of this type create for EU users, especially kids. This app and others like it will undermine consumer trust and confidence in our ecosystem that we have worked for more than a decade to make the best in the world. Contrary to the false statements made by the marketplace developer, we certainly do not approve of this app and would never offer it in our App Store. The truth is that we are required by the European Commission to allow it to be distributed by marketplace operators like AltStore and Epic who may not share our concerns for user safety,” Apple said.In other words, reaching the standard for notarization is emphatically not the same as Apple approving the app in the way it normally would. Apple told me that it made its concerns about the app known to the European Commission in December 2024 but no opposition was expressed to it, Apple says.The app is described as an “adult content browser” which allows users to play videos from websites such as Pornhub and XHamster, for instance.However, Apple pointed out to me that the app includes a “teen” channel with content from Pornhub. It also pointed out that the European Commission prohibits Apple from stopping what it calls repugnant content from appearing on alternative marketplaces.Apple noted that AltStore is funded by Epic Games which allowed AltStore to drop its annual subscription soon after launching thans to a “MegaGrant” from Epic Games.Epic’s Tim Sweeney has since pointed out on X that “the Epic Games Store doesn’t carry this app, doesn’t carry any porn apps, and has never carried porn apps.”The developer says it’s “an elegant, native porn app. Thoughfully designed, ethically made and free to use.” What’s more, AltStore PAL says it will donate all of its Patreon earnings for February “to causes supporting sex workers and those in the LGBTQ+ community,” The Verge reports.“We feel this is necessary to fight back against recent harmful policies by politicians, Meta, and others,” developer Riley Testut said.As with other issues now the EU has different App Store rules, governments around the world, including the U.S. and the U.K., will be watching closely.One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts. Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site’s Terms of Service. We’ve summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain:User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:So, how can you be a power user?Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site’s Terms of Service.
