Apple allegedly abused its dominant market position to prevent others Mobile payment app From access NFC On that device, according to the European Commission.
EU executives file opposition iPhone The manufacturer it claims Apple Pay We have benefited from the company’s decision to prevent mobile wallet app developers from accessing the required hardware and software.
European Commissioner for Competition, Marguerite Vestagar Explained in press release How Apple curbed competition by blocking third-party access to NFC on mobile devices.
“Mobile payments play a fast-growing role in the digital economy. For the integration of the European payments market, it is important for consumers to benefit from a competitive and innovative payment environment. Shows that we are restricting third-party access to the key technologies needed to develop rival mobile wallet solutions on Apple devices. In our opposition, Apple has its own solution. We have previously discovered that we may be limiting competition for the benefit of one Apple Pay. If confirmed, such conduct would be illegal under our competition rules. “
Limit competition by limiting access to NFC
Apple Pay is Apple’s own Mobile wallet An iPhone and iPad solution that can be used to enable mobile payments in stores and online, as with hardware and software, the company has all aspects of the ecosystem’s user experience, including access for mobile wallet developers. Is in control.
Specifically, Apple Pay is the only mobile wallet solution that can access NFC input on iOS and iPad OS. However, NFC is a standardized technology and is available in almost all products. POS system We provide a more seamless and secure payment experience in the store.
Although a full investigation needs to be done, the European Commission now believes that Apple’s dominant position in the iOS mobile wallet market is limiting competition by allowing Apple Pay to only access NFC. I have. If confirmed, the company violates Article 102 of the Treaties on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) Prohibits companies from abusing their position in the dominant market.
The European Commission also noted that the opposition does not indicate that Apple is guilty, but is only a formal step in investigating whether Apple violates EU antitrust laws. There is.
We have to wait for the European Commission to carry out a full investigation, but Apple Quite fine If found guilty, the company will need to open NFC to other mobile wallet developers.