For years, iPhone users who wanted to access adult content on their phones could always do so, local laws and regulations aside. However, until now, there has never been a native porn app available on the iPhone. This changes with Hot Tub, the first official porn app for the iPhone.
Thanks to the EU
For those bewildered by this, especially given how strict Apple is regarding apps on its App Store, this was made possible thanks to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). This law essentially forces Apple to open its walled garden to third-party app stores. This, in turn, paved the way for users to download apps like Hot Tub onto their iPhones.
For “research purposes”, Hot Tub is an app that allows users to stream videos from various adult websites. Adult websites aren’t new. But what makes this app unique is that it’s the first to be available as a native iOS app.
The app is available for download via AltStore PAL, a third-party app store for iOS users. For years, Apple has maintained tight control over the App Store. The company has a strict review process that typically rejects apps that violate its guidelines. This includes apps featuring pornography, drug and alcohol-related content, weapons, and hate speech.
Users could still access such content through Safari or other workarounds. However, the lack of native apps did make it a bit more tricky.
Another interesting point of note is that Hot Tub has gone through the Notarization process and received approval. According to this Apple support document, the company still requires all apps distributed through third-party stores to undergo a “Notarization” process. This scans for malware and other security risks. This process doesn’t evaluate the actual content of the app, but it ensures apps meet a basic level of safety.
Not for everyone
That being said, don’t get too excited yet if you’re living outside of the EU. Since the DMA only covers the EU region, iOS users in other countries won’t be able to access these stores. At least for now. We’re not sure if Apple has plans to open this up to all users worldwide, but for now it is limited to the EU.
This means that if you want to access the Hot Tub app via AltStore PAL, you’d be out of luck. If you’re not looking for porn, AltStore PAL plays home to other apps otherwise not approved by Apple. This includes game emulators and torrenting software.
Apple has also since issued a statement regarding the release of Hot Tub on iOS devices. “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.”
