AltStore PAL, athird-party app storeavailable on iOS devices inthe European Union(EU), has announced the porn app Hot Tub is now available on its app store,touting the appas the “world’s 1st Apple-approved porn app” and Apple is not happy.
AltStore PALis an approved alternative app store by Apple, which is now allowed oniOS devicesbecause of the EU’sDigital Markets Act(DMA). The DMA enables app developers to release their apps on alternative app stores other than the App Store in an effort by the EU to reduce Apple’s (and other tech giants) monopoly on app distribution, which has led to this porn app becoming available natively on the iPhone.
Apple isn’t thrilled about the situation and released a statement saying it is “deeply concerned” about Hot Tub.
“We are deeply concerned about the safety risks that hardcore porn apps of this type create for EU users, especially kids,” Apple said in a statement to the media. “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.”
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AltStore says it didn’t make any false statements
Apple is not happy with AltStore or the DMA
This is the first time a porn app has ever been on the iPhone in the entirety of its existence, and it probably isn’t exactly what Steve Jobs had in mind for the revolutionary device when he first announced it in 2007.
Apple said AltStore PAL was making “false statements” about its approval. AltStore Creator Riley Testut denied this, saying in astatement to Engadgethe was not making “any false statements” and that Hot Tub “was submitted to Apple’s own notarization process where it was then approved by Apple employees for distribution with alternative app marketplaces such as AltStore PAL.”
Apple isn’t too pleased with the DMA, which resulted in all this happening in the first place. The law was voted on and approved by theEuropean Parliamentin 2022 and came into full effect for “gatekeepers” in 2024. The law was designed to give consumers a choice when acquiring digital services, such as “installing preferred apps from the web or alternative app stores on your smartphone.” According tostatcounter, Apple’s iOS has 33 percent of Europe’s mobile operating system market share.
