Apple Made This Update to Steer Clear of Endorsing iPhone Porn Apps

A misunderstanding had previously suggested that Apple endorsed a porn app accessible to iPhone users in the EU via a third-party app store.

This triggered some misleading headlines, but Apple has addressed the issue by revising three words in the communication sent to developers…

The porn app issue

Last year, the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) mandated that Apple permit third-party app stores on the iPhone, which the company reluctantly complied with—though it attempted to dissuade iPhone users from utilizing them and made the installation process cumbersome.

One of Apple’s primary concerns was that it would lose the ability to block certain types of apps, including pornography, which the company has traditionally disallowed.

Apple maintained the right to assess apps for safety before they were allowed in third-party stores, and this included the porn-browsing application Hot Tub. AltStore later claimed that Apple had “approved” the app for inclusion.

This statement was technically correct, as once Apple confirmed that an app’s code met security and privacy standards, the developer received an email indicating so. The phrasing of that email stated that it was “approved” for release.

The following app has been approved for distribution

Apple swiftly clarified that this did not imply that it endorsed the app.

Contrary to the misleading claims made by the marketplace developer, we do not endorse this app and would never include it in our App Store. The reality is that we are required by the European Commission to permit its distribution by marketplace operators like AltStore and Epic, who may not share our concerns regarding user safety.

Apple has revised three words

Riley Testut from AltStore has now highlighted a change in Apple’s wording.

Previously: The following app has been approved for distribution

Now: The following app is now ready for distribution

It appears that Apple has altered the wording of Notarization emails to remove the term “approved,” which raises questions about what might have prompted that!

As John Gruber points out, this is a smart way to address the situation, making the meaning clear to developers without “in any way signifying approval.”

Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash