Apple’s Tap-and-Go Mobile Payment System Opens to Other Companies Amid EU Antitrust Investigation
DUBLIN: Apple has announced that its tap-and-go mobile payment system, Apple Pay, will be accessible to other companies, a move seen as an effort to conclude an EU antitrust investigation and avoid hefty fines.
This decision will extend Apple Pay’s availability to more than 3,000 banks and other institutions across Europe, as confirmed by EU antitrust regulators. The four-year-long investigation into Apple’s practices has now ended.
Apple has frequently clashed with European regulatory bodies, often proceeding without adhering to European laws. However, the company was compelled to change its approach following a robust intervention from the European Commission. The EU antitrust enforcer stated that Apple’s commitment will be in effect for ten years.
This move is perceived as an attempt by Apple to preempt further scrutiny of its operations. Currently, the company is facing three investigations into its business practices under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Two years ago, the EU competition authority prohibited Apple from preventing other app developers from accessing its Tap-and-Go technology. In January, Apple agreed to settle the case. In March, Apple was fined €1.84 billion for imposing restrictions on Spotify and other music streaming rivals through the App Store, marking the first EU antitrust penalty against the company.
With this new development, other companies can now use Apple Pay for mobile payments on iPhones, providing consumers with a broader range of secure and innovative mobile wallets. Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s Antitrust Chief, emphasised that this change will allow for a wider array of mobile wallet options.
Apple’s Tap-and-Go technology facilitates contactless payments using mobile wallets. Developers will also gain access to payment apps for other mobile wallet providers.
Additionally, Apple will offer European developers the ability to enable tap-and-go payments for various uses, including car keys, closed-loop transit, corporate badges, home keys, hotel keys, merchant loyalty/rewards, and event tickets from iOS apps.
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