UK watchdog seeks to open up iPhone payments
The CMA proposes rules requiring rivals to gain access to Apple’s NFC technology.
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The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) wants Apple to give other payment services access to the contactless technology in iPhones. The proposals are not yet final, but could increase competition in mobile payments in the United Kingdom.
The Competition and Markets Authority published a consultation on Tuesday on access to NFC, the technology that allows a phone to communicate wirelessly with a payment terminal. The watchdog is investigating whether Apple’s terms restrict rivals too much.
According to the CMA, fees and technical access rules make it harder for British fintech companies to build competing payment services. Under the proposals, Apple would be required, according to the CMA, to provide access through the main international contactless standards.
This is a consultation, not a final decision. Interested parties can respond before the CMA decides which obligations will actually be imposed. Apple can still challenge the proposals or suggest changes.
Apple says developers can already offer contactless payments through apps using the iPhone’s NFC and secure element. The company thereby disputes the suggestion that competitors are completely excluded from the technology they need.
The British regulator has previously designated Apple as a company with a strategic market position for its mobile platform. This gives the CMA additional powers to impose conduct rules on large technology companies.
For users, greater competition could lead to more choice in payment apps. It is not yet clear whether this will result in lower prices: that depends on the final rules, access charges and the willingness of banks and fintech companies to roll out alternatives in practice.
The issue is also relevant beyond the United Kingdom. Apple operates internationally with similar technology, while the European Union accepted binding commitments on NFC access in 2024. The British procedure, however, follows its own national competition framework.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The CMA has opened a consultation on access to NFC.
- Apple has been granted a strategic market position in the United Kingdom.
- Apple says developers can already offer certain contactless payment functions.
- The consultation could still result in amended or no final obligations.
Left
Arguments A dominant platform owner should open up essential infrastructure so new providers can compete and users are not locked into a single payment ecosystem.
Values Competition, accessibility and protecting consumers from concentrations of power.
Consequences More providers could bring innovation and lower costs, while public rules would still be needed to safeguard privacy and security.
Centre
Arguments Access may be justified if Apple controls indispensable infrastructure, but the rules must be technically workable and take fraud prevention into account.
Values Balancing competition, security and predictable regulation.
Consequences A carefully designed regime could increase choice without unnecessarily weakening the reliability of contactless payments.
Right
Arguments Apple has invested in the security and operation of its payment environment and should retain room to manage risks and quality. The government should not treat every commercial choice as market failure.
Values Property, incentives for innovation and limited government intervention.
Consequences Overly burdensome access rules could put investment and security responsibilities under pressure, but complete closure could restrict competition.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The publication of the consultation, the role of NFC and Apple’s response were confirmed by the CMA and Reuters. The possible effects on prices and choice are presented as uncertain.
- confirmed The CMA published a consultation on NFC access on 20 October. — This is stated on the official CMA page. source
- confirmed The proposals could reduce access costs and increase competition. — The CMA describes this as an expected effect of the proposals. source
- confirmed Apple says developers can already offer contactless payments through apps. — Reported by Reuters. source
- confirmed The EU accepted binding commitments on NFC access in 2024. — Confirmed by the European Commission. source
Editor's note
The CMA has published proposals and a consultation; there is no final obligation yet. Apple’s own position is presented separately.Sources
- CMA outlines proposals to unlock contactless technology on Apple iPhone — Competition and Markets Authority
- Apple’s mobile platform — Competition and Markets Authority
- Britain seeks to break Apple’s grip on contactless payments — Reuters
More on this in Dutch media
- RTL Nieuws — „apple iphone”
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