Europe blames Apple Pay and iPhone NFC chip restrictions

Europe remains firm in its crusade against Mansana due to restrictions that apply to the use of the iPhone and Apple Watch NFC chip. European Commission sent a statement to the firm from Cupertino with objections, given that restricting the specified component’s access to Apple Pay is anti-competitive..

According to preliminary findings from European regulators, Apple “abused its dominant position in mobile wallet markets for iOS devices”. This statement is based on the fact that the Californian company does not allow third-party applications to access the NFC chip of their devices, forcing users to rely entirely and exclusively on Apple Pay to make contactless payments.

The European Commission argues that Apple’s decision hinders innovation and unnecessarily limits the options available to consumers. If the regulators confirm this, it will mean a violation of Article 102 of the Law. Treaty on the Functioning of the European Unionwhich prohibits the abuse of a dominant position.

“We have indications that Apple has restricted third-party access to key technologies needed to develop competing mobile wallet solutions on their devices. . If confirmed, such conduct would be illegal under our competition rules.” Margret VestagerCommissioner for European competitions.

The accusation of the European Commission against Apple, and specifically against Apple Pay, This is no reason to be surprised. Restricting access to the NFC chip in Apple devices has been the subject of controversy in recent years. In 2020, it was already known that European regulators were considering stricter regulation of contactless payments using this technology; while in 2021, the first position was discovered according to what was officially announced this Monday.

This is not the first time Apple Pay has come under scrutiny from the European Commission.

In any event, Europe’s statement of objection does not mean that Apple is already facing sanctions; nor that you must immediately make your NFC chip available so that it can be used by third party platforms. However, this is the first step for those led by Tim Cook to take.

Apple will be able to respond to European regulators by providing clarification on the matter, and from that point on, it will be seen how this story continues. At the moment, the European Commission indicated that their statement “does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation”and that it focuses solely on the inability of third parties to access the NFC chip.

This latest clarification comes as the agency is conducting another investigation into the use of Apple Pay in Europe. However, it focuses on the conditions that Apple imposes in order to allow the use of its payment gateway.

Apple has always advocated restricting access to the NFC chip of the iPhone and Apple Watch. citing security concerns. This is consistent with other company definitions, such as the inability to use third-party payment methods in the App Store. And this time they stayed on the same path.

“Apple Pay is just one of many payment options available to European consumers, and it provides equal access to NFC while setting industry-leading privacy and security standards. We will continue to work with the Commission to ensure that European consumers have access to the payment method of their choice in a safe and secure environment,” Cupertino said.