Apple raised concerns about the "safety risk" associated with Hot Tub, the first iPhone porn app, which the tech company was obligated to release by the European Commission, the main executive body of the European Union (EU).
Newsweek reached out to Apple, developer Riley Testut and the European Commission via email on Thursday for comment.
Why It Matters
In the first time in the iPhone's nearly 20-year history, some European users will be able to access porn more conveniently than ever before, but with that accessibility comes concern over the dangers associated with it, especially for children.
The late founder of Apple, Steve Jobs, said in 2010 when he was the CEO of the tech company that it was Apple's "moral responsibility" to not allow porn on the iPhone.
What To Know
In 2022, the European Union (EU) adopted the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which, in part, required Apple to allow users to download apps from alternative app stores such as the AltStore PAL, which is only available in the EU.
The Hot Tub app, developed by Testut, was launched in the AltStore PAL on Monday. According to the app's description, it is "the first Apple-approved porn app." Apple pushed back on this characterization, saying in a statement shared with multiple outlets including Newsweek, "We certainly do not approve of this app."
What Is The Hot Tub App?
Hot Tub allows users to play videos from popular adult sites like Pornhub and XHamster. Apple told Forbes the app contains a "teen" channel, which includes content from Pornhub.
What Did Apple Say About Hot Tub?
"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," Apple said its statement.
The tech company added: "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."
According to a Forbes article published on Wednesday, Apple told the magazine that it raised concerns about Hot Tub to the European Commission in December 2024. The tech company said that the commission didn't share any opposition to the app.
What People Are Saying
AltStore said in a statement: "Apple is claiming we made false statements about the approval of Hot Tub. This is not true."
"All apps distributed with AltStore PAL must be submitted to Apple for 'notarization.' Unlike macOS, iOS notarization involves a human-review process where Apple employees manually review apps before they are 'approved' or 'rejected' for distribution (in Apple's own words)," the alternative app store said.
AltStore added that while "Apple has not endorsed Hot Tub in any way," it did approve it.
Tim Sweeney, founder and CEO of Epic Games, which funds the AltStore PAL, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday: "Contrary to Apple's false statement, the Epic Games Store doesn't carry this app, doesn't carry any porn apps, and has never carried porn apps."
"Apple is being extremely disingenuous in attacking the European Union here. The iOS App Store hosts the Reddit app, which provides access to massive amounts of porn. Apple knows this, permits it, and gave Reddit a 17+ (!!!) rating and Editors Choice award," Sweeney wrote in an X post from Tuesday.
What Happens Next
While Hot Tub is available to users in the EU, Americans still don't have access to porn via the App Store, and Apple seemingly will not ready budge on that position anytime soon.
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