Apple Says It Doesn't Approve of EU Porn App

Apple does not approve of the "Hot Tub" pornography app that was released for the iPhone in the EU using alternative app distribution, Apple said in a statement to MacRumors. Further, Apple is concerned about the potential user safety risks with a pornography app, and says that it undermines consumer trust in the Apple ecosystem.

App Store vs EU Feature 2

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's statement references the first native iOS pornography app that is available through AltStore, an alternative app marketplace in the European Union. Apple is required to allow app marketplaces in the EU by the Digital Markets Act, and Apple has little control over the kinds of apps that are distributed through the marketplaces.

In marketing for the app, AltStore referred to Hot Tub as "the first Apple-approved porn app," and Apple has taken issue with the wording. While all apps distributed outside of the App Store in the EU have to go through Apple's Notarization process, it only checks for malware, fraud, and other egregious issues. Notarization does not limit content, and apps sideloaded on the ‌iPhone‌ in the EU can have pornography, references to drugs and alcohol, hate speech, and other content that would not be permitted under the ‌App Store‌ rules.


Apple's Notarization guidelines actually prohibit apps from implying that Apple "endorses any particular representation regarding quality or functionality" of any app or app marketplace in the EU, so AltStore has seemingly violated Apple's Notarization rules.

Apple wants to make it clear that the Hot Tub pornography app is available because European Commission has forced Apple to allow AltStore and other alternative app marketplaces to exist in the EU, even though Apple has warned multiple times that the DMA would make objectionable, harmful, and illicit content available to consumers.

Apple says that it expressed concerns about the upcoming pornography app in December, but the European Commission hasn't made a move to stop it from being distributed.

Update: Following Apple's statement, Epic Games has clarified that it does not offer Hot Tub or other porn apps through the ‌Epic Games‌ Store in the EU. For clarity, ‌Epic Games‌ did give AltStore a "MegaGrant" that allows it to distribute apps like Hot Tub for free.

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Top Rated Comments

Mrkevinfinnerty Avatar
10 months ago

They are absolutely right though. Apple has developed a safe and closed environment, but then came the EU and it took the safety enitrely away. Which honestly is strange since the DSA would limit an App Store making Porn Apps available to children.
Yeah nothing like this can be access via safari at all.
Score: 67 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SanderEvers Avatar
10 months ago

Just stop Apple

Jeebus ... this statment is not needed

If anything you're bringing more attention to the porn app and third party marketplaces that allow users more freedom on how they use their iOS devices
They are absolutely right though. Apple has developed a safe and closed environment, but then came the EU and it took the safety enitrely away. Which honestly is strange since the DSA would limit an App Store making Porn Apps available to children.
Score: 57 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
10 months ago
Apple, this statement is not needed

If anything you're bringing more attention to the porn app and third party marketplaces that allow users more freedom on how they use their iOS devices
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SanderEvers Avatar
10 months ago

Yeah nothing like this can be access via safari at all.
Not if you actually take the time to set up child protection on the device. Protection that Apple can enforce in Safari or their App Store. But not in third party app stores or browsers. And this is exactly the point here!!!


adults should be allowed to enjoy what they want. It’s like saying driving a car is bad because a toddler might accidentally get locked inside a car by themselves.
If a kid starts driving a car then they are quickly arested. So there is an (external) protection here. Exactly what Apple wants in their devices.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DBZmusicboy01 Avatar
10 months ago
adults should be allowed to enjoy what they want. It’s like saying driving a car is bad because a toddler might accidentally get locked inside a car by themselves.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I7guy Avatar
10 months ago
Good for you apple for not sweeping this under the rug.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)