Mashable: Apple's decision to ban third-party apps from accessing NFC input for contactless payments on its devices is criticized by the EU in the statement.

According to the European Commission, Apple is engaging in anti-competitive behavior when it comes to NFC payment input. Apple's decision to ban third-party apps from accessing NFC input for contactless payments on its devices is criticized by the EU in the statement.

As stated in a statement, the European Commission informed Apple of its preliminary view that it misused its dominant position in markets for mobile wallets on iOS devices. Apple is limiting competition in the iOS mobile wallet sector by restricting access to a standard technology used for contactless payments with mobile devices in stores ("Near-Field Communication (NFC)" or "tap and go").

According to the EU, Apple's decision to restrict NFC access for contactless payments advantages its own mobile payments solution, Apple Pay, and excludes competitors, which "leads to less innovation and less choice for consumers for mobile wallets on iPhones. "

Notably, the EU's announcement merely signals that antitrust proceedings against Apple have begun in a formal manner. A hearing before EU and national competition authorities is still an option for Apple to reply to the Commission's charges.

This Statement of Objections does neither "take issue with the online restrictions nor the alleged refusal of access to Apple Pay for specific products of rivals," as the Commission announced when it launched its in-depth inquiry into Apple's activities with regard to "Apple Pay" on June 16th, 2020."

It comes just a few months after Apple revealed new Tap to Pay technology that will allow iPhone users to accept contactless payments in the United States.