American tech giants are urging Donald Trump to push back against European regulators. Image by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Apple is raising concerns about a new porn app now accessible to European iPhone users. However, the issue is not solely about pornography but about European regulations designed to loosen Apple’s grip on its app store. This is just one of the numerous EU regulations that Big Tech is hoping Trump will combat, potentially through imposing tariffs.
Curious about how Apple, pornography, and Donald Trump intersect in this narrative? Allow me to explain the intricate details.
In a nutshell, Apple is objecting to a pornographic app, Hot Tub, which is now accessible to iPhone users in the European Union through AltStore, an alternative app store that enables users to sideload apps onto their phones. This has been made possible due to new EU regulations that Apple vehemently opposes. These regulations are part of the broader discontent that tech companies have regarding their treatment in Europe, with hopes that Trump will champion their cause — possibly utilizing the same tariff tactics employed against other countries.
Digging deeper, Apple’s discontent stems from Hot Tub’s availability on a third-party app store, circumventing Apple’s own app store regulations. Although the app enables users to view explicit content, similar content is already accessible through Apple’s Safari browser. The crux of Apple’s grievance lies in the app being promoted as “Apple-approved,” despite being on a third-party platform. Apple, like Google, prohibits pornographic apps on its app store and is irked by the implication that it endorses Hot Tub.
This issue has arisen amidst a protracted dispute involving Apple, several developers, including Epic Games, and EU regulators. The App Store’s significance to Apple’s business has been a central theme in this ongoing saga. For a more straightforward breakdown, I recommend reading Shira Ovide’s article in The Washington Post.
So, why does Donald Trump factor into this scenario? The discontent over European regulations, particularly those governing Apple’s interactions with app developers, is one of many grievances that Big Tech companies have against Europe. While US lawmakers have largely refrained from regulating Big Tech, lawsuits initiated or threatened by the Trump and Biden administrations have been the primary source of regulatory action. Big Tech firms have been signaling to Trump their desire for intervention on this front. It is noteworthy that Mark Zuckerberg, who recently aligned himself more closely with Trump, likened European tech rules to tariffs.
Acknowledging these signals, Trump recently criticized European fines and regulations targeting Big Tech during a speech at Davos. Amidst ongoing tariff negotiations with Mexico and Canada, he hinted at focusing on Europe’s regulatory landscape next.
Despite this, it is important to note that American tech companies may not achieve their desired outcomes. President Trump is expected to seek various concessions from Europe, but his specific priorities and the likelihood of success remain uncertain. Nevertheless, it is crucial to draw connections between pornography applications and potential tariffs imposed by the European Union, as major technology firms are actively monitoring this situation. Please refer to the original article on Business Insider for further details.
