EU Launches First Porn App Sparking Debate and Concerns From Apple

A new porn app for iPhones, Hot Tub, is rolling out in the European Union this week. The application was launched on Monday through AltStore PAL, an alternative app store, and Apple has already shared its concerns regarding safety risks.

According to The Verge, Hot Tub is an “adult content browser,” ads-free, that meets all of Apple’s requirements to be downloaded by iPhone users through AltStore PAL—one of the first app marketplace alternatives to Apple’s App Store since the EU’s Digital Markets Act came into effect.

“iPhone turns 18 this year, which means it’s finally old enough for some more ~mature~ apps,” wrote AltStore PAL on its Threads account. “Introducing Hot Tub by c1d3r, the world’s 1st Apple-approved porn app!”

Along with the app launch, AltStore PAL announced they will donate earnings from Patreon “to causes supporting sex workers and those in the LGBTQ+ community” during February.

“We feel this is necessary to fight back against recent harmful policies by politicians, Meta, and others,” said Riley Testut, AltStore PAL developer, to The Verge.

However, Apple has already shared concerns regarding new adult content apps as it goes against its principles and the company has always considered to have “a moral responsibility to keep porn off the iPhone,” as Steve Jobs once replied to a customer complaining about the company’s policies.

“We are deeply concerned about the safety risks that hardcore porn apps of this type create for EU users, especially kids,” wrote Peter Ajemian, Apple spokesperson, to The Verge. “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.”

Other apps have also found alternatives to reach users thanks to the EU’s Digital Markets Act. Epic Games relaunched Fortnite via AltStore PAL last year.