Apple has issued a warning to iPhone users after the first-ever pornography app became available for download in the European Union. The app, called Hot Tub, is an ad-free adult content browser that allows users to stream videos from sites like Pornhub and XHamster. However, it is not available through Apple’s official App Store but rather through AltStore PAL, an independent app marketplace enabled by recent EU regulations.
Apple, which has long banned “overtly sexual or pornographic material” on its platform, strongly opposed the app’s release. In a statement to Forbes, the company said, “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.” Apple also made it clear that it was forced to allow the app under European Commission regulations, stating, “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 app is only accessible in the EU, meaning users in the UK and other regions cannot download it. While Apple continues to push back against explicit content on its devices, the introduction of independent app marketplaces in Europe is making it harder for the company to control what users can access.
With concerns over child safety and data security, Apple has hinted at potential legal or policy actions to challenge the situation. Meanwhile, the availability of Hot Tub has sparked debate over how tech companies should balance regulatory compliance with content moderation.
