Brazil's competition watchdog CADE has given Apple until March 30 to respond to questions about its iPhone NFC restrictions. The inquiry focuses on fees, technical requirements, and contracts with Brazilian developers, escalating a probe that began last year when banks and regulators raised concerns about Apple's control over contactless payments.

Apple has argued that its 10% smartphone market share in Brazil and the availability of third-party NFC access since 2024 demonstrate fair competition. The company also claims Apple Pay isn't harming consumers or excluding competitors. However, regulators remain unconvinced by these arguments.

A key issue involves Brazil's popular PIX payment system, which launched a contactless protocol last year. Unlike Google, Apple has refused to adopt this free instant payment method, instead maintaining its own proprietary approach. CADE's investigation also touches on Apple's apparent effort to avoid being classified as a Payment Transaction Initiator, a regulatory category that would require greater interoperability.