A native pornography app for iOS is coming to the EU via the approved alternative app store AltStore PAL, made possible by Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). On Monday, the AltStore announced the launch of Hot Tub, an aggregator that offers iOS users a way to search and play videos from a variety of adult websites, including Pornhub, Xvideos, XNXX, and XHamster.
While it’s always been possible to browse the web, including porn websites, from the iPhone’s web browser, the DMA allows app developers to release iPhone and iPad apps through alternative marketplaces in the EU.
These alternative app store publishers can make decisions about the types of apps they’ll allow, including those that would otherwise run afoul of Apple’s App Store Guidelines.
As Apple explains in a support document, these apps still have to go through a Notarization process to meet “baseline platform integrity standards.” But, Apple warns, alternative app stores can opt to publish unrated apps that may include things like pornography, drug and alcohol, weapons, hate speech, and more.
AltStore claims the approval of the Hot Tub app is the first to go through the Notarization process to be approved for distribution on the iPhone. Despite the nature of the content, the company says they didn’t have any issues getting the app approved, though that’s likely because Apple has often used pornography as an example of the kind of app they now must allow under the DMA.
According to AltStore developer Riley Testut, the company will use the new opportunity to donate its Patreon earnings to causes supporting sex workers and others in the LGBTQ+ community during February, including The Trevor Project and Red Umbrella Fund.
“We feel this is necessary to fight back against recent harmful policies by politicians, Meta, and others, and we encourage everyone to help however you can,” the AltStore’s account shared in social media posts.
The Hot Tub app was developed by an independent developer who goes by c1d3r, and who was previously active in the jailbreak scene. (Jailbreaking is the act of breaking through Apple’s built-in security protections to install unapproved apps on the iPhone.)
The app markets itself as a native alternative to porn websites that protects users from ads, trackers, and spammy pop-ups. The app also features built-in search, gestures, customizable controls, and subscriber-only features, like advanced search, filtering, and categories across multiple networks.
Apple took issue with how AltStore was marketing the release of Hot Tub as “Apple approved” given that alternative app store apps don’t go through an App Review process. The company also pointed out that AltStore is backed by Epic Games, the Fortnite maker that sued Apple over antitrust issues.
A statement issued by Apple reads:
“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. 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.”
Updated after publication to include Apple’s response.
