High fees, strict terms, and technical restrictions in the EU are said to be holding back wider third-party adoption of the NFC chip in the iPhone. The UK is instead pushing for easier access at no cost.
Following the UK's 2024 investigation into digital wallets and Apple's agreement to open NFC access in Europe, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) wants more. It argues that even if Apple offers the same terms to UK developers, those terms will still be insufficient. The CMA is calling for easier access with fewer conditions, and says none of this raises security concerns.
Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said high fees, strict terms, and technical restrictions relating to Apple's contactless technology make it too difficult for challengers to innovate and compete. She said removing these barriers could help British businesses develop products and services, from payment apps and digital IDs to travel passes and digital keys.
The CMA notes that no firms have released an alternative to Apple Wallet in the UK, while five have done so in Europe. The first was Vipps, which launched in Norway in 2024. Apple has said it disagrees with the CMA, stating, "We do not believe the CMA should require Apple to adopt an approach with lower privacy and security protections." The CMA's proposals are currently a consultation, open for comments until November 17, 2026, with a decision to follow shortly after.
Source: AppleInsider · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing