Apple Raises Concern After Altstore Approves Adult Content App On iPhones, iPads In Europe

New York: After Altstore — an alternative app store for iOS—approved listing a native porn app on iPhones and iPads, Apple (AAPL.O) criticized stating that the bloc’s digital policy was undermining consumer confidence in Apple. The app, Hot Tub, has been launched in the European market, where currently it is free for use.

Since it first opened the App Store on iPhones in 2008, Apple has controlled what apps could be downloaded to the devices. In 2010, the company’s then-CEO Steve Jobs kept porn off the iPhone saying that it was Apple’s ‘moral responsibility.’

Meanwhile, Altstore has claimed that the app has completed all approval hurdles, including Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).

What is a Hot Tub app?

The Hot Tub is an aggregator that offers iOS users a way to search and play videos from a variety of adult websites, including some porn websites, which have always been available on the internet. The app description states, “The app promises a private and secure way to browse adult content, without ads or tracking. An elegant, native porn app. Thoughtfully designed, ethically made, and free to use”, according to the TechCrunch report.

The app also endorses itself as a native alternative to adult websites. It offers a seamless experience free from ads, trackers, and intrusive pop-ups. It includes built-in search, gesture controls, and customisable settings, along with exclusive subscriber perks.