THEEuropean antitrust accusation Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), di abuse of dominant position in the market of mobile wallets on iOS devices. In particular, according to Brussels, the Apple would have prevented companies that develop apps from mobile wallet to access a technology used for contactless payments via smartphones and tablets (the "Near-Field Communication", NFC). In this way, the company would reduced competition to ensure an advantage to your service, Apple Pay.
Commissioner Vestager's explanation
"It is important for the integration of European payment markets that consumers benefit from a competitive and innovative payments landscape," he wrote. in a note Margrethe Vestager, vice president of the European Commission and EU competition officer – We have indications that Apple has restricted third-party access to key technology needed to develop rival mobile wallet solutions on Apple devices. In our Statement of Objections, we first noted that Apple may have limited competition to the benefit of its Apple Pay solution. If confirmed, such conduct would be illegal under our competition rules”, in particular Article 102 of the Treaty of the European Union.
Vestager recalled that the Commission opened an antitrust investigation into Appple Pay in June 2020: "Preliminarily, we found that Apple has abused its dominant position by limiting access to the inputs necessary to develop and run payment apps mobile".
NFC technology for contactless payments
NFC technology, which allows customers' smartphones to communicate with store payment terminals, “was developed by third parties, is standardized e available in almost all payment terminals in Europe – continued the Commissioner – There are other technologies, such as those based on the QR code, which can be used for mobile payments, but NFC technology is the most widespread in the EU and allows for the safest and most seamless experience".
Apple's closed ecosystem
Apple “built a closed ecosystem around its devices and its operating system, iOS – Vestager said again – and controls the doors of this ecosystem, establishing the rules of the game for anyone who wants to reach consumers using Apple devices. The potential for innovation in this space is huge. But this innovation was prevented by Apple, who has denied others access to the NFC on his devices”.
Apple talks about "security reasons"
Apple states that “for security reasons it cannot provide access to NFC for payments – concluded the number one of the EU Antitrust – According to Apple, the security risks would increase if access were granted to third parties. We take safety very seriously, but our survey up to today did not reveal any evidence that indicates a security risk so high. To the contrary, the evidence in our file indicates that Apple's conduct cannot be justified by such problems."
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