The third-party store referred to Hot Tub as the "first Apple-approved porn app."
Earlier today, AltStore PAL, a third-party app shop, stated that a porn app called Hot Tub was now available to iOS customers in the European Union. The marketplace, which allows consumers in the EU to sideload programs that are not available in Apple's App Store, referred to it as the "first Apple-approved porn app."
Apple has now expressed that it is "deeply concerned" about Hot Tub, which, as TechCrunch pointed out, is the first time that a porn software has been released directly for the iPhone. An Apple spokeswoman stated, "We are very worried about the dangers that hardcore porn apps like this one pose to users in the EU, particularly children." "This app and similar ones will weaken consumer trust and confidence in our ecosystem, which we have spent over ten years building to be the best in the world." We would never provide this app in our App Store, and we certainly do not approve of it, despite what the marketplace developer falsely claims.
Apple has made it clear that its guidelines for notarization indicate that app developers should not "suggest or imply that Apple is a source or supplier of the App, or that Apple endorses any particular representation regarding quality or functionality." The claims made by AltStore appear to contradict such instruction.
However, Riley Testut, the creator of AltStore, denied making "any false statements" in a statement to Indiasocialbook. He states 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." He stated that it was this approval that AltStore was referring to in its advertising. He continued, "The DMA also does not require that Apple approves apps for distribution; they have chosen to do so themselves," referring to the Digital Markets Act of the European Union.
Apple has been quite open about its displeasure with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which mandates that the company permit third-party app stores in Europe. In its statement about Hot Tub on Monday, the business said, "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."
Epic, the company that makes Fortnite and has been a long-time rival of Apple, has revealed intentions to add third-party mobile games to its Epic Games app in the EU. This is in addition to AltStore. Epic granted AltStore Pal a "MegaGrant" last year to assist fund the "core technology fees" that third-party app stores are obligated to pay Apple. Even though they are not formally related, this grant was given to help support the alternative app store.
