Payment service
Apple Pay: market power abused? Apple makes promises
Apple makes promises in the Apple Pay dispute. (Illustration) Photo
© Sebastian Kahnert/dpa
The EU Commission accuses Apple of deliberately hindering competition in the mobile wallet sector. Now Apple is giving in – and also ensuring other developers have direct access to the NFC chip.
Apple’s concessions became known in a statement from the EU Commission. The European Union’s competition watchdogs now called on competitors and other affected parties to submit feedback. Apple is threatened with a high competition fine from the EU because of the accusation of foreclosure of its payment platform.
What does the Commission accuse Apple of?
Specifically, the Commission accuses Apple of deliberately hindering competition in the mobile wallet sector. For example, if banks want to make their cards usable for contactless payments on the iPhone, this is currently only possible via Apple Pay and Apple’s in-house mobile wallet Wallet.
Banks have long criticized Apple for not being able to access the NFC radio chip, which allows you to use your phone at the checkout instead of a bank card. Apple explained that Apple Pay was the only way to do this, citing security considerations, among other things.
The commitments offered by Apple will remain in effect for ten years and will be monitored by a trustee.