UK CMA Moves to Open Apple’s NFC Payments to Rivals as 30% of Adults Use Apple Pay
Updated
Updated · Computerworld · Oct 20
UK CMA Moves to Open Apple’s NFC Payments to Rivals as 30% of Adults Use Apple Pay
3 articles · Updated · Computerworld · Oct 20
Summary
A CMA consultation proposes forcing Apple to let rival payment providers use the iPhone’s NFC chip on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms, widening access beyond Apple Pay.
UK businesses pushed for action after calling Apple’s current NFC access commercially unworkable and challenging the 0.15% fee Apple takes on credit-card transactions made through Apple Pay.
The regulator argues the change could spur fintech competition in payments, digital IDs, travel passes and digital keys, while the FCA said broader NFC access could also support open-banking payments direct from bank accounts.
Apple said it opposes any approach with weaker privacy and security protections, though the company already supports NFC access in the EU under technical and regulatory conditions.
The proposal targets a fast-growing market: contactless payments now account for 39% of UK transactions, 62% of adults use a digital wallet, and about half of those use Apple Wallet.