William Gallagher
The European Union is reportedly about to accuse Apple of breaking the law over how Apple Pay is the only service allowed to use the company's payments system.
Apple Pay has been under EU scrutiny since at least 2019, but a new report claims that next week in May 2022, officials expect to formally accuse Apple of antitrust actions over it.
According to the Financial Times, EU investigators will announce charges relating to the iPhone's NFC ability, and Apple's refusal to allow third-party payment systems to use it.
The publication says that its sources report the investigators are intent on acting soon, but the timing of the announcement may yet be delayed.
Whenever it is made, Apple could potentially face fines of up to 10% of its global turnover, should the charges be upheld.
These expected charges come as the EU is also preparing its Digital Markets Act, which among much else, would require Apple to allow app developers to use third-party payment systems instead of Apple's own.
Christine McKee
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Wesley Hilliard
AppleInsider Staff
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
35 Comments
So stupid. Apple created a payment system, just like Pay Pal, Visa and MasterCard. Are these payment systems required to use each other’s payment systems? No. Then why is Apple being forced to allow other payment systems? The EU needs to go away. They are trying to dictate to companies how they have to be run. That sounds like a dictatorship or even poorly run communism.
IMO, this is the type of regulation that at least has some sort of basis in reality for the purpose of competition versus forced side loading. For this, you can make the argument that competitors don't have access at all. That isn't the case with the App Store.
So what I’m understanding from all these accusations and requirements, is that Apple is not allowed to design its own products anymore, or provide a good experience to customers. Amazing how of all the problems in the world, Apple making products ppl love to use is the one that needs to be eliminated.
Another example that shows the EU is a joke.
Why no complaints about banks withholding their cards from iPhones? Why can they refuse to let customers add their bank card to the iPhone (and enjoy increased security/reduced fraud) yet complain that Apple won’t allow Apps access to NFC?