For some time, the European Union has been seeking to build an anti-monopoly foundation in the technology sector through the Digital Markets Act (DMA). With the rules adopted by the European Parliament under this legislation last week, a new era has also begun for Apple. Apple will now allow third-party app marketplaces on iOS devices within the EU. In addition, the company aims to ease European regulators' concerns about its monopoly over Apple Pay by opening its mobile wallet and payment services to third parties. According to a statement made by the European Commission last week, the US-based technology giant will allow third parties to offer contactless payments free of charge, without having to use Apple Pay or Apple Wallet. As a result, NFC payments will be usable directly within apps, without needing Apple Pay or the Wallet app. This will pave the way for third-party payment services and banks to offer their own tap-to-pay solutions on Apple devices. The EU executive body had started collecting feedback from competing firms after an investigation into antitrust concerns that began in 2020. The EU investigation focused on whether blocking access to NFC technology, the software and hardware that mobile devices need to communicate with payment terminals, violated anti-competition rules. Apple stated on the matter: "Through our ongoing discussions with the European Commission, we have committed to offering third-party developers in the European Economic Area an option that allows their users to make NFC contactless payments from within iOS apps, separately from Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. Apple Pay will remain a widely available option, and more than 3,000 banks across all EEA (European Economic Area) countries will continue to offer Apple Pay's unique privacy and security as well as an excellent user experience." The Commission said that if Apple fails to comply with its commitments, the EU can fine Apple up to 10 percent of its worldwide revenue without having to prove that Apple violated antitrust rules.
