Apple Offers to Open Mobile Payments to Third Parties Amid EU Antitrust Case -- 2nd Update
19 Januar 2024 - 2:05PM
Dow Jones News
By David Sachs
Apple said it will address antitrust concerns from European
regulators surrounding the popular Apple Pay app by allowing access
to third-party mobile wallet and payment services.
The U.S. tech giant has agreed to allow companies' apps to make
contactless payments on devices that use the iOS operating system,
such as iPhones, for free without the need to use Apple Pay or
Apple Wallet, the European Commission executive arm said
Friday.
The EU executive arm posted an invitation for comment from
competitors on that concession and others, following an
investigation into antitrust concerns that began in 2020. The EU
inquiry focused on whether blocking access to NFC technology--the
software and hardware necessary for mobile devices to communicate
with pay terminals--violated anti-competition rules.
"Through our ongoing discussions with the European Commission,
we have offered commitments to provide third-party developers in
the European Economic Area with an option that will enable their
users to make NFC contactless payments from within their iOS apps,
separate from Apple Pay and Apple Wallet," Apple said.
"Apple Pay will continue to be a broadly available option, and
over 3,000 issuing banks across all EEA countries will still be
able to offer the unparalleled privacy and security of Apple Pay,
as well as its great user experience," it said.
Other concessions include applying the third-party allowance to
all mobile wallet app developers in the EEA, which includes
Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, the Commission said. The apps
would work for all iOS users in that zone, and Apple wouldn't
prevent the use of these apps for payments outside of the area,
according to the EU.
If Apple doesn't abide by its commitments, the EU can fine it
10% of its worldwide revenue, the Commission said, without having
to prove that Apple broke antitrust rules.
If Apple's commitments satisfy antitrust concerns through a
market test, the EU could adopt the rules, making them legally
binding, the Commission said. However, the decision would not clear
Apple of breaking antitrust rules.
When consumers use their mobile device to pay, they will be able
to decide between using Apple Pay or an app that's been enabled by
iOS, Apple said. Users will be able to change their default payment
method at any time.
Write to David Sachs at david.sachs@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 19, 2024 07:50 ET (12:50 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)
Historical Stock Chart
Von Jun 2024 bis Jul 2024
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)
Historical Stock Chart
Von Jul 2023 bis Jul 2024