Apple has proposed to the European Commission to unlock the near-field communication (NFC) capabilities on smartphones so that not only Apple Pay but also other payment services can tap into contactless payments. This development comes as reports from The MacRumors, citing insiders familiar with Reuters, highlight the ongoing debate over access to mobile tap-and-go technology.
In May 2022, the European Union competition authority formally opposed Apple’s restrictions that limited rivals from accessing the iPhone’s NFC functionality. The ruling effectively hampered mobile wallets other than Apple Pay from functioning on iPhones, placing developers of alternate payment solutions—largely backed by banks—at a disadvantage in the market.
MacRumors notes that the EU antitrust regulator’s stance featured opposition from credit unions, among other industry players. The European Commission was anticipated to engage with industry representatives in January 2024 to discuss Apple’s proposal and potential regulatory adjustments.
MacRumors further emphasized that specific terms of Apple’s offer had not been disclosed at that time, leaving stakeholders awaiting official details.
A related trial had previously taken place in the United States, where discussions about competition and market dominance among major digital payment platforms were central to the discourse (Reuters). The proceedings reflected broader concerns about user choice, accessibility, and the level playing field for fintech and banking partners in the digital payments ecosystem.