The EU Commission found Apple have abused their market position and favour Apple Pay
The EU Commission found Apple guilty of favoring Apple Pay by limiting access to NFC technology for competitors. Apple claims to have designed Apple Pay for user convenience and security. The case highlights the pending Digital Markets Act.
EU Antitrust investigators preliminarily concluded that Apple is barring competitors from access to the “tap and go” function, powered by the near-field communication (NFC) technology, in a move to favour its own Apple Pay system. The European Commission’s Vice-President Margrethe Vestager claimed that Apple has abused its dominant position and breaks the EU competition rules. Apple responded that they designed Apple Pay with the intention to “provide an easy and secure way” for users to make contactless purchases, that European customers have many other options of payment, and that they have ensured equal access to NFC while maintaining industry-leading standards. As the EU Commission and Apple continue their dialogue, this case puts the spotlight on the pending Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Source: The Financial Times