Apple doesn’t approve of the “Hot Tub” pornography app that was launched for the iPhone within the EU utilizing various app distribution, Apple stated in an announcement to MacRumors. Additional, Apple is worried concerning the potential person security dangers with a pornography app, and says that it undermines shopper belief within the Apple ecosystem.
We’re deeply involved concerning the security dangers that hardcore porn apps of this sort create for EU customers, particularly youngsters. This app and others like it’ll undermine shopper belief and confidence in our ecosystem that we’ve got labored for greater than a decade to make the very best on the planet. Opposite to the false statements made by {the marketplace} developer, we actually don’t approve of this app and would by no means supply it in our App Retailer. The reality is that we’re required by the European Fee to permit it to be distributed by market operators like AltStore and Epic who might not share our issues for person security.
Apple’s assertion references the primary native iOS pornography app that’s obtainable via AltStore, an alternate app market within the European Union. Apple is required to permit app marketplaces within the EU by the Digital Markets Act, and Apple has little management over the sorts of apps which are distributed via the marketplaces.
In advertising for the app, AltStore referred to Sizzling Tub as “the first Apple-approved porn app,” and Apple has taken problem with the wording. Whereas all apps distributed exterior of the App Retailer within the EU need to undergo Apple’s Notarization course of, it solely checks for malware, fraud, and different egregious points. Notarization doesn’t restrict content material, and apps sideloaded on the iPhone within the EU can have pornography, references to medicine and alcohol, hate speech, and different content material that may not be permitted underneath the App Retailer guidelines.
Apple’s Notarization pointers truly prohibit apps from implying that Apple “endorses any particular representation regarding quality or functionality” of any app or app market within the EU, so AltStore has seemingly violated Apple’s Notarization guidelines.
Apple desires to make it clear that the Sizzling Tub pornography app is obtainable as a result of European Fee has compelled Apple to permit AltStore and different various app marketplaces to exist within the EU, though Apple has warned a number of instances that the DMA would make objectionable, dangerous, and illicit content material obtainable to customers.
Apple says that it expressed issues concerning the upcoming pornography app in December, however the European Fee hasn’t made a transfer to cease it from being distributed.
