Apple Pay (AAPL) Targeted in Dutch Antitrust Probe Into Payment Apps

Photographer: Thomas Trutschel/Getty Pictures

Apple Inc. telephones face scrutiny from Dutch antitrust regulators who’re probing whether or not customers get a free selection of economic apps with contactless funds.

The Netherlands Authority for Customers and Markets stated on Friday it began an investigation into fee apps’ entry to near-field communication, which permits individuals to wave their telephones at fee terminals to make purchases.

Whereas the regulator didn’t title Apple, it cited issues that “the software program on some smartphones solely permits the software program developer’s personal fee app to connect with NFC communication.”

At current, iPhone and Apple Watch customers can solely make NFC funds utilizing Apple Pay. Banks and different rivals have complained they need the identical performance for their very own iPhone apps however that Apple refuses entry to the chip.

The Dutch authority “will examine whether or not limiting the fee apps’ entry to NFC communication reduces the customers’ freedom of selection,” it stated. If it “does set up a violation, it could end in a penalty, akin to a advantageous.”

Apple Pay’s phrases and circumstances for service provider apps and web sites are individually the focus of an EU antitrust probe. The EU can also be weighing laws that might drive Apple to open up NFC to rivals.

Whereas Apple declined to remark straight on the investigation, it stated it “designed Apple Pay as a easy and safe means for patrons to make use of the fee card of their selection on their Apple gadgets.”

It stated it competes day by day, “working with banks, fintechs and retailers to be the perfect fee possibility for enterprise and customers throughout the Netherlands.”

— With help by Natalia Drozdiak