UK asks Apple to widen access to its payment tech
Summary
The UK competition watchdog, the CMA, is asking Apple to allow more companies to use its contactless payment technology on iPhones and Apple Watches. The CMA wants Apple to lower the fees it charges and open access to boost innovation and competition in payment, travel, and ticket apps.Key Facts
- The CMA says Apple’s current fees and rules block other companies from creating new contactless payment services.
- Apple charges firms for using its contactless payment system, which the CMA wants reduced.
- Nearly 40% of payments in the UK are contactless, and Apple’s digital wallet is the most used.
- The CMA proposes that Apple should allow apps to use Host Card Emulation (HCE), a common contactless payment technology Apple currently restricts in the UK.
- Opening access could lead to new products like account payments, digital IDs, travel passes, and digital keys.
- Since the EU forced Apple to open its tech, new payment apps like PayPal and Klarna have launched there.
- Apple says its current system supports secure contactless payments and expanding access could reduce security and privacy.
- The CMA believes more competition would help British tech companies innovate and grow.
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