EU to Accuse Apple of Unfairly Blocking Third-Party Access to NFC Payment Technology on iPhone

[Lenny Pelullo Slade]

The way the EU complains about Apple and Google sounds like they are bitter and can’t compete. Not my fault.

Except that it’s not just about Apple and Google. All companies operating/selling in the EU have to comply with EU regulations … including local ones. The big ones get the most attention because they’re the biggest. The fact that they happen to be American companies is irrelevant. And it’s not just the EU. The US itself has “complained” about the practices of Apple, Google, Facebook, etc.

Also, let’s not forget that one of the biggest names in music (Spotify) is an EU company; one of the biggest messaging companies (Skype) was started in Europe; one of the biggest phone makers ever (Nokia) was European.

 

[RadioHedgeFund]

If Apple ever did quit the EU there would be someone to step in, probably with some more inventive ideas TBH.

Before 2007 the biggest phone manufacturers were the likes of Nokia and (Sony) Ericsson and they were European. We had an endless parade of inventive, innovative phone designs. This actually continued into the smartphone era, giving us design classics like the Xperia Play and the Lumia 1020.

Apple becomes top dog and every phone is now a glass rectangle. Bendy, folding devices from South Korea might not be the future of smartphones but at least they are people trying to do something interesting.

 

[I7guy]

If Apple ever did quit the EU there would be someone to step in, probably with some more inventive ideas TBH.

Yep, and they should, but apple is very beloved, except by a outspoken universe here within Macrumors, so one never knows what will happen.

Before 2007 the biggest phone manufacturers were the likes of Nokia and (Sony) Ericsson and they were European. We had an endless parade of inventive, innovative phone designs. This actually continued into the smartphone era, giving us design classics like the Xperia Play and the Lumia 1020.

Apple becomes top dog and every phone is now a glass rectangle. Bendy, folding devices from South Korea might not be the future of smartphones but at least they are people trying to do something interesting.

The glass rectangle started with android, iirc.

 

[duffman9000]

Let me go out on a limb here... if there was a PC which FORCED the users to use one specific browser (and by that I mean a rendering engine, ie Webkit) there would be an uproar. If there was Mac that would just lock out any software which didn't come from AppStore, say the new Studio Mac didn't allow for non-Apple video editing software... people would dump it. If there was an EV that allowed to be charged with a non-standard plug and from a very specific mfg specified charging stations and those alone - there would (almost) be chaos and riots in the streets, so to speak.
If Microsoft starting tomorrow would FORCE everyone to stick to Office tools alone, banning Open Office, Gimp and third-party Solitaire... people would pick up pitchforks and go after Gates.

These remote and absurd examples aside, here's a reminder: Apple is the gatekeeper of ALL applications that can be used on any iOS, WatchOS or TVOS platforms. iPhone does NOT allow a third-party NFC-payment. And that's just a handful of locked features that customers are forced to, while fanboys and those who completely misunderstand free market will smugly brush off with some retarded "use another platform" comment.

Oh, but that's right, "what right does EU have to tell a private company how to do business". Next argument will be "what right does govt have to tell a company what taxes to pay and what employment laws to follow".

You want iOS to function like Windows/MacOS. I’ll assume you have an iPhone. You bought it knowing full well installing software on iOS isn’t like Window/MacOS. Did I miss anything?

 

[AppliedMicro]

That’s definitely not what they seem to be doing from where I’m sitting (which is, very far away).
They seem to be forcing Apple meat plates to be more and more like Android meat plates

Yes - but to remain with the example, the EU isn’t regulating the actual food items on them - or what types of meat you can have. No, that would be individual apps.

The EU is more regulating the physical plates that your food is being delivered, so that they can also support other types of meat. They aren‘t regulating the actual food (individual apps).

Whereas some people, like you, on this forum are claiming (probably even believing) that „Apple-approved meat is the only healthy and hygienic meat, only Apple can guarantee the quality of our meat. That‘s why I’m only eating something that was served on Apple’s proprietary plates, which only support Apple-approved meat.“.

Here’s the thing though: Most people choose their meals not by the type/make of plates they are being served on. And most people don’t believe that there’s only one company that can served hygienic meat.

But to now end it this somewhat far-fetched comparison:
The real believers in regulation, for me, aren’t the EU or the people welcoming their DMA plans, no!

? The real believers in big regulation are the people that want to keep the status quo and are complaining that the choice for a proprietary system would be taken from them.

They believe that there should be one single, big entity, one big brother to regulate all apps, their access to people‘s phones and availability, and govern all commercial services that are provided on and through smartphones. And, oh yes, define and enforce moral standards of decency and against profanity on the platform. And yes, of course, a 15% or 30% tax is more than justified, in their opinion.

Even more, they‘re welcoming and embracing it even when, where and if this „governor“ of the platform is offering some services themselves (Apple Pay) while preventing free enterprises‘ from competing (shutting off access to NFC).

? Basically, what these (you) people are advocating: One big entity to create the infrastructure - and then govern, regulate, secure and tax everyone on this platform. Whose decisions consumers and businesses have to submit to. Yes, what I’m describing here is a pretty classic definition of an (somewhat authoritarian) government and how it is acting. And I think that’s what it comes down to: Apple isn‘t a mere manufacturer of phones that competes with other phone manufacturers. No, they’re in many, many ways acting and behaving as a „quasi-government“ that provides infrastructure and „governs“ its platform and all of its millions of users and businesses (and Apple’s user base has more users than most countries in the world have in population).

It‘s just that you people rather want and support that government to be a trillion-dollar exchange-listed for-profit company (in the belief that they „mean the best“ for you and are acting in your best interests) - rather than an actual elected political government.

? Restricting the powers of government isn’t taking away choice from consumers - or freedom for businesses. And it’s not advocating for overbearing regulation either. Neither is advocating for business access. It‘s the very opposite.

 

[McDaveH]

If the market for restaurants and their products/services was as highly concentrated (as the one for smartphone OS and app download stores) that the same two or three choices of meals were sold in every restaurant every single day, then yes, the EU should definitely take regulatory action.

Especially if all that European consumers could get in their restaurants was (that chemically processed, artificially flavoured crap) from America.

The EU should definitely ensure customer choice, availability of diverse food ingredients, promote competition among European food suppliers and preserve that important European culinary heritage.

And they achieve this by forcing one of those ‘foreign’ options to be like the other?
Why don’t they field their own options? Or did they try & fail because nobody wanted their take on what was ‘right’ and would rather have quality than choice?

 

[BaldiMac]

Yep But only Apple-approved cards/issuers have access to the Wallet app.
And other apps don’t have access to the NFC chip (for payment services) - so Apple can charge their commission.

Correct. Much like apps on iOS.

Huh?

transfering my zune library to ipod touch - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

I'm guessing you weren't around for the early days of digital music. Songs were sold with DRM from the various stores that prevented them from playing on rival services. As noted in the article you posted, you couldn't transfer DRM-protected music from other companies to an iPod.

There’s a difference between helping and not actively inhibiting.

Exactly! Forcing Apple to help it's rivals by providing APIs that may or may not already exist is different than entering into agreements with other companies in order to limit competition.

It’s actually a collection of related and connected markets. That doesn’t make everyone in the various segments competitors of everyone else. Or is Apple competing with Chipotle just because they both have iOS apps?

Never implied Apple was competing in markets that it doesn't compete in.

As far as mobile OS’s go, there are only two.

Nope. And you've totally moved the goalposts here to avoid admitting you were wrong.

You literally said it yourself. It’s still Android OS. Having a custom UI doesn’t change the fact that they all still run Android and Android applications.

No, they are all based on the same open source project. Brave and Firefox are both based on the same open source project. They are also competitors in the browser market.

What application download store comes pre-installed on Galaxy phones?
Also, can third-party apps use their NFC hardware (for payment purposes)?

I have no idea what that has to do with what I said. I think it's wrong that Google has entered into agreements with its competitors to put Google Play Services on all their devices.

 

[boyarka]

You want iOS to function like Windows/MacOS. I’ll assume you have an iPhone. You bought it knowing full well installing software on iOS isn’t like Window/MacOS. Did I miss anything?

Yes, you did: no other OS (even Android, and God knows any other before that - like Symbian) jailed their users as much.

 

[BaldiMac]

Yes, you did: no other OS (even Android, and God knows any other before that - like Symbian) jailed their users as much.

Well, that's obviously not true. Tons of products have had no third-party integration at all.

 

[AppliedMicro]

And they achieve this by forcing one of those ‘foreign’ options to be like the other?

If it leads to more customer choice and a mechanism that keeps commissions in check, yes.
Your definition of „options“ is very misleading.

Some people live in a free, democratic society.
Some people live in an authoritarian regime.

Some people opted to live in a free, democratic society.
Some people opted to live in an authoritarian regime instead.

Most people in the world didn’t opt for either.
They just happened to have been born in one or the other.

(Also, most people didn’t choose their smartphone platform for being closed or open.
They chose it for looks, price, ease of use, familiarity, free support from family members, etc.)

What you and others are trying to suggest here, is something along those lines:

„If all the countries in the world were free democracies, people wouldn’t have an option anymore.
So let‘s preserve authoritarian regimes, so that people have such choice and options.“

Well, that’s not wrong, if we are purely technically speaking.
But retaining or promoting authoritarian regimes isn’t promoting freedom or free choice in the world.

 

[BaldiMac]

If it leads to more customer choice and a mechanism that keeps commissions in check, yes.
Your definition of „options“ is very misleading.

Some people live in a free, democratic society.
Some people live in an authoritarian regime.

Some people opted to live in a free, democratic society.
Some people opted to live in an authoritarian regime instead.

Most people in the world didn’t opt for either.
They just happened to have been born in one or the other.

(Also, most people didn’t choose their smartphone platform for being closed or open.
They chose it for looks, price, ease of use, familiarity, free support from family members, etc.)

What you and others are trying to suggest here, is something along those lines:

„If all the countries in the world were free democracies, people wouldn’t have an option anymore.
So let‘s preserve authoritarian regimes, so that people have such choice and options.“

Well, purely technically speaking, that’s not wrong.
But it‘s not promoting overall freedom or free choice in the world. Quite the contrary.

That a pretty ridiculous comparison considering you can switch smartphones for a few hundred dollars. And either platform has an abundance of choice for what's available on it.

I think the push for regulation is mainly about about one thing. Billion dollar corporations wanting to take a piece of the pie from trillion dollar corporations disguised as a push for "consumer choice" that isn't really about any significant choice. They're just taking advantage of the visceral feeling that people are missing "something".

 

[djphat2000]

Did you know it's actually possible to profit from your work and IP without resorting to using it in an anti-competitive manner? Companies do it every day.

Sure, but Apple has "their" way. You don't have to buy it. No one does. People "choose" to do so or not.

Another company "could" try and compete with Apple and Google too. The governments of the world could fund a project to make an new open source product. Subsidize it so almost anyone could afford it. Invite the Amazon's, Googles, Apples, EPIC's, Steam's, Microsofts etc of the world to develop things for it.

 

[RadioHedgeFund]

Yep, and they should, but apple is very beloved, except by a outspoken universe here within Macrumors, so one never knows what will happen.

The glass rectangle started with android, iirc.

The first Android handset actually came out 14 months after the OG iPhone was released.

The original glass slab handset was the LG Prada which came out in December 2006, one month before the iPhone was revealed. It ran a custom OS and not a variant of Android.

If the iPhone never came out, Google would have kept the original Android prototype which was more like the BlackBerry with its trackball and keyboard.

That may then have become the standard given how popular Blackberry devices were at the time.

Samsung had the Q1 Windows tablet out years before the iPad.

Who knows what sort of varied market we would have had Apple not brought out the iPhone.

 

[Wando64]

They just need to mind their own business.

That is literally what everyone is doing.
Apple is trying to protect their financial interests with anticompetitive measures, whereas the EU is trying to protect the interests of its citizens by striving to eliminate anticompetitive practices.

 

[Wando64]

...opening up the NFC chip though is entirely different and puts much more secure/vital data & information at risk.

How?

 

[djphat2000]

You can just use another app.
One from a (one of the thousands) developer that does offer it on Apple’s App Store.

This is not always the case. Your also assuming that developers will continue to push their apps on the Appstore and not just move to either their own or a 3rd party exclusively. Or worse, side-load.

So? You buy and use another!?

Again, not always going to be the case. Will Adobe sell on the Appstore? They can and very well could move to their own distribution model. Same for Microsoft, Netflix, Amazon, EPIC, and Meta, Spotify, etc.

But… here’s the thing: I fully agree with you that there are “important” apps that would drive users to install apps from third-party sources.

Exactly, proving the points above.

However, there’s much lower barriers to enter the market for apps - than there is for manufacturing smartphones (manufacturing, patents, regulatory certification). Consequently, there’s lots of app develops - but very few makers of smartphones, let alone their operating systems and app stores.

Agreeing with you on principle it will lower the barrier for almost anyone to enter or create a new AppStore market. However, you as a consumer lose out on how many of these self regulated stores or distribution points will now exist without any care as to the consumers privacy, security, device stability etc. They no longer have to worry about any of the rules that have been put in place. Wild west. So Apple/Google will have to create more protections on said devices/OS to at least try and protect the end user. Which means more pop ups asking for this and that and your authorization. Of which will end up not being enough, and more peoples devices will be hacked more easily than it is possible today. I suppose I can just not allow any 3rd party methods access to my device. However, if I don't have any choice but to go that route to get that app. Now, I as a consumer suffer the consequences of these government actions.

First and foremost these devices are CELL PHONES. That is the product they fall under. They are Smart Phones because they can do more than just make a call. They only recently (last 6 or so years) had enough power to be able to do desktop level stuff. I don't think anyone would mistake it for server level performance, or mainframe level performance. Super Computer (HPC) level performance, etc. They can do a lot, no one is arguing that. But, that is not the category of product they are under. The OS was designed for mobile level computing, not desktop level computing. What you and others here are asking for is a PC/Mac in your pocket, wide open OS's that you can do whatever you want with. And that is not what these are. They do a lot yes, but that is not what they are at the end of the day. One of these mobile gaming devices is more akin to what you're looking for with a SIM card slot.

We should remind ourselves that Apple can “pull” any app from the App Store at any time. At will.

Yes, they can. Just like any physical store can choose to not carry an item or remove an item they don't want to sell or be associated with. Just like any product manufacture can choose to not have their items in specific stores either due to exclusivity deals or just not liking that store over another.

Even more, they can pull or prohibit entire categories of apps from the App Store.
For you and me, that may be gaming console emulators

Come on, this is generally in the gray area too illegal. Nintendo, AFAIK does not condone the use of emulators to play NES games anymore than SEGA or ATARI. This is not a good example, but does also prove the points above about the wild west of AppStore markets willing to sell you anything and not caring about it being safe, secure, legal, or stable for your device.

or video downloading apps. For others, it may be VPN apps that protects them from surveillance and interference by their tyrannic government.

Definitely apps I want to be vetted before installing. Would you trust a VPN app that had to be side-loaded? Or a Video app? Or via a 3rd party store? Like I said above, these things could have full access to your device. MIC, Camera, GPS location, cellular/wifi network activity.

? If availability or lack of “important” apps is an issue, the “monopoly” that Apple has on iOS app distribution is (at least in principle, technologically and contractually) a hundred times “worse”, i.e. far-reaching and prone to potential abuse or censorship.

We all have more apps available on iOS AppStore than we ever had on macOS. macOS being open and you can do what you want with it, and you don't have the same level of developers "developing" for it as you do the closed walled garden of iOS/iPadOS. So how is Apple "worse" for locking down and being able t reject app on iOS when it does the exact opposite on macOS and has less apps?

If you’re honestly concerned about availability or lack of certain apps, why are you advocating that one single “gatekeeper” (Apple) control all of the distribution for your desired platform? Instead of a decentralised systrm, where everyone can develop and distribute apps?

Because we have more apps on iOS than we ever did on macOS. Because you have to go through Apple's gatekeeping system to reach APPLE'S customers. And have to follow the rules set forth. I, the consumer get to have more apps, safely than I do on macOS.

If Apple decides - for whatever reason - to ban FF7 or whatnot, there’s no trustworthy way for you to download, install and run it on your device.

Yes, this is true. Fortnite is the prime example of this. BUT, and here is the BUT part. Nvidia game streaming can bring you Fortnite on iOS via their game streaming service brought to you via the world wide web (app). Incredible.

Government regulation may change that and ensure that you can can at least get your desired app somehow.
The current state of affairs doesn’t - you are, we all are very much at Apple’s whim.

Pick Android, or build a device that will do what you want.

It’s just that many people (blindly believe that Apple’s policies and management of the app ecosystem are aligned with their own interest and preferences, that Apple “knows what’s best for everyone”.

I doubt very highly many people think this. We all walked into the garden, and we all can walk out if we choose to do so. We know Apple isn't always correct, but they take a chance/risk in the products they make. We don't even have this conversation if Apple didn't make the iPhone. Most of us here don't want Apple to be Google or Microsoft. They don't want to have the same stuff as everyone else. They want what Apple provides, its special sauce. The way they do things vs someone else. If they didn't they would have left the platform a LONG TIME AGO.

Apple didn't create a monopoly, people choose their platform. And people chose their platform everyday. To join it or to leave it. To use some of what Apple provides, and mix and match apps that Apple competes with. Or all of it. There are plenty of people that spend NO money in the AppStore. I've spent zero dollars in the AppStore for my kids iPad and he has plenty of Apps from multiple developers. And I'm sure there are those that purchase something by the minute via IAP's. Again we have choice. We chose to spend, or not. We chose Apple or Google or Microsoft (even though they make an Android phone), or Samsung. And if the world didn't ban companies like Huawei for potentially stealing IP and or your personal data. Maybe you would have another option. Again an Android based OS for your mobile device. But, another store, another design etc.

 

[vipergts2207]

Correct. Much like apps on iOS.


I'm guessing you weren't around for the early days of digital music. Songs were sold with DRM from the various stores that prevented them from playing on rival services. As noted in the article you posted, you couldn't transfer DRM-protected music from other companies to an iPod.


Exactly! Forcing Apple to help it's rivals by providing APIs that may or may not already exist is different than entering into agreements with other companies in order to limit competition.


Never implied Apple was competing in markets that it doesn't compete in.


Nope. And you've totally moved the goalposts here to avoid admitting you were wrong.


No, they are all based on the same open source project. Brave and Firefox are both based on the same open source project. They are also competitors in the browser market.


I have no idea what that has to do with what I said. I think it's wrong that Google has entered into agreements with its competitors to put Google Play Services on all their devices.

Wave bye bye to your closed iPhone. ?

 

[AppliedMicro]

That a pretty ridiculous comparison considering you can switch smartphones for a few hundred dollars.

You can also switch (move) countries. Already did it for a few hundred dollars.

This is not always the case.

So…? You find an app that suits you!

Where‘s the problem with that? If Apple App Store/iOS and Google Play Store/Android are „enough“ choice for consumers that governments and regulators need not take action (as has been suggested by you and others), surely there‘ll be more than enough choices for individual apps?!

Your also assuming that developers will continue to push their apps on the Appstore and not just move to either their own or a 3rd party exclusively

You‘re also assuming that Apple will continue to approve particular apps to the App Store and not just ban them (competitor’s apps) from the platform.

I mean, as was so often emphasised by people here: It was Apple who created the platform, so they entitled to operate their App Store as they please, aren‘t they? There’s no legal entitlement to be on the App Store, let alone against Apple inventing new rules to prohibit certain practices, content or functionality.

? An app being admitted on the App Store isn‘t a right, it‘s a privilege, isn’t it!?
Well, with the current model so is an app being admitted for iOS at all then.

Will Adobe sell on the Appstore? They can and very well could move to their own distribution model.

If Adobe moves off, you can use something from Corel or Serif. No problem. Or…

Pick Android, or build a device that will do what you want.

…pick something from Corel or Serif. Or build your own DTP or image / vector editing program.

However, you as a consumer lose out on how many of these self regulated stores or distribution points will now exist without any care as to the consumers privacy, security, device stability etc

Privacy will be guaranteed by either technology - or government regulation.

So Apple/Google will have to create more protections on said devices/OS to at least try and protect the end user

Google did. If Apple is forced to, that’s only good for user‘s privacy. Cause their review process missing obvious fake/phishing apps has proven not to be secure.

First and foremost these devices are CELL PHONES

I totally disagree with that. And so does consumer usage. Only a tiny fraction of usage/time on these devices is spent to make calls or send SMS over as cell phone network. Their cell phone call capabilities aren‘t even really advertised by Apple (as is linked by Apple under the headline „What makes an iPhone an iPhone“ on their landing page).

The OS was designed for mobile level computing, not desktop level computing. What you and others here are asking for is a PC/Mac in your pocket, wide open OS's that you can do whatever you want with

That‘s exactly what they are. Have you ever taken a look at Apple‘s App Store and advertising. These are very capable machines for photo editing, speech-to-text dictation, internet searches / browsing, email, online banking, video conferencing, document scanning, 3D gaming machines.

And I‘m honestly not sure what you’re alluding to with your distinction between mobile and desktop computing? The difference between them is literally the screen and keyboard size only.

Would you trust a VPN app that had to be side-loaded? Or a Video app? Or via a 3rd party store? Like I said above, these things could have full access to your device. MIC, Camera, GPS location, cellular/wifi network activity.

The don‘t. These apps are sandboxed, have privacy settings for all these items today, and VPN apps (have to!) use specific API.

? There is no reason why all this wouldn’t apply to „sideloaded“ apps just the same.

…unless Apple has been that their sandboxing doesn’t exist or work as they claim. Well, that would then be the real issue.


? But getting back to the question of choice:

How are availability of Adobe‘s or Microsoft’s apps a substantial issue - to the point of people claiming to be (potentially) „forced“ to sideload or calling for clauses that mandate their availability on the App Store („if there’s sideloading, there should be a rule requiring all app to also be available on the App Store“)?

In other words: how and why are particular apps a thing that should regulated (by Apple), their availability and people’s apparent dependence on them a real (potential) problem?

Yet Apple‘s stranglehold on iOS, being able to throw them off the App Store at will, at any time, isn’t an even bigger issue - that supposedly requires no regulation at all?

 

[DeepIn2U]

Way to go EU! It's about time that Apple opens up their platform to allow for competition and thus creating innovation.

Please explain Y they should? Intelligently?

It’s Apples platform their development tools and they have market research to know why such components of their platform should NOT be opened up.

NFC on its own there are tones of reasons and hacks showing how insecure it can be with near or close to 10ft or less with skimming of data if unprotected. Lots of theirs party wallets with NFC protection or RFID protections ~ and again with reasons.


I think a better look would be by the EU is to first check what the developers want with access to the NFC chips on iPhones and what they’ve officially submitted to Apple if that matches. Then contact Apple to ask why it’s disallowed vs just trying to force something they have on another platform.

1. Android is the more popular platform by units sold and by plethora of devices available. Use that damn platform and stop complaining.

2. What users want, by the numbers, for said access on nfc for iPhones?

Start with that EU.

Right now it seems EU is more of the bully. Fall in line with what the competition is doing because we’ll we use Android and we want you to be Android.

I smell huge lobbying dollars at work here pushing for this.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Well, Apple can exists ONLY, because the EU is an open market. the EU could have well said: "Hmm, no, we don't want Apple".

Apple is able to sell iPhone and computer ONLY because there are laws that are enforcing some companies to grant fair licence. Otherwise, Apple would have never had the right to sell a device that uses Wifi, or bluetooth or Mobile Networks. Nokia could have said: "Our material is allowing only Nokias on the cellular network, and bam, like there is only Apple that has access to NFC on iPhone, only Nokia would have had phone connected to a cellular network"

The iPhone would have been nothing without developers. Only thanks to those devs, Apple made hundreds of billions. In the opposite, devs would have had a job anyway. Worst case, just works to create Android apps.

Apple is just totally hypocrite. When something protects them from others and allow them to make money, it is good. When something protect others from them, it is something scandalous.

Yet the EU is NOT operating as an open market allowing Apple to compete.

It wants a Apple to compete based on how they see others doing so. That’s not competition that’s rigging the game.

 

[AppliedMicro]

NFC on its own there are tones of reasons and hacks showing how insecure it can be with near or close to 10ft or less with skimming of data if unprotected. Lots of theirs party wallets with NFC protection or RFID protections ~ and again with reasons.

One can easily shut off NFC for locked devices.
Though even Apple with their own solution doesn’t for Express mode.

I think a better look would be by the EU is to first check what the developers want with access to the NFC chips on iPhones

The major point is most probably NFC access for payment services (without using Apple Pay and „Apple tax“ being charged), to allow for competition in mobile payments - as has already been discussed in for example Germany.

Then contact Apple to ask why it’s disallowed

Come on, as if Apple hand‘t said that already - and as if they wouldn’t withhold the actual primary reason:
Apple are going to say what they‘ve always said: Security and privacy.
What they won‘t admit to: it‘s primarily about $$$ - their own commissions.

I smell huge lobbying dollars at work here pushing for this.

Probably. But the lobbyists aren‘t wrong when asserting that Apple is anticompetitively protecting their Apple Pay recenue.

 

[DeepIn2U]

One can easily shut off NFC for locked devices.
Though even Apple with their own solution doesn’t for Express mode.

The major point is most probably NFC access for payment services (without using Apple Pay and „Apple tax“ being charged), to allow for competition in mobile payments - as has already been discussed in for example Germany.

Come on, as if Apple hand‘t said that already - and as if they wouldn’t withhold the actual primary reason:
Apple are going to say what they‘ve always said: Security and privacy.
What they won‘t admit to: it‘s primarily about $$$ - their own commissions.

Probably. But the lobbyists aren‘t wrong when asserting that Apple is anticompetitively protecting their Apple Pay recenue.

I think you’re assuming it’s about money.

Even if it was why should Apple be penalized? They are not the predominant player in mobile. Competition isn’t being hurt here. The ei would not care if not for lobbying.

Why is visa or Mastercard allowed to have various interest rate % on various cards with various credit ratings for consumers and/or deposits n spending rates?!!! Don’t see the EU coming for them do you?!! They’re allowed to make billions so why not Apple? The EU never cared about Nokias various battery chargers n batteries in their S60 heyday.

The EU only cares claiming the guise of competition when it suits them based on lobbying dollars!

 

[boyarka]

Well, that's obviously not true. Tons of products have had no third-party integration at all.

Let's hear it which ones those were, and please name major ones and not obscure ones.

 

[boyarka]

That is literally what everyone is doing.
Apple is trying to protect their financial interests with anticompetitive measures, whereas the EU is trying to protect the interests of its citizens by striving to eliminate anticompetitive practices.

Finally, thank you!

 

[jeffpeng]

If Apple ever did quit the EU there would be someone to step in, probably with some more inventive ideas TBH.

Before 2007 the biggest phone manufacturers were the likes of Nokia and (Sony) Ericsson and they were European. We had an endless parade of inventive, innovative phone designs. This actually continued into the smartphone era, giving us design classics like the Xperia Play and the Lumia 1020.

Apple becomes top dog and every phone is now a glass rectangle. Bendy, folding devices from South Korea might not be the future of smartphones but at least they are people trying to do something interesting.

I loved my N97. So much I purchased it twice (I drowned my first one). I still wish I could get a modern incarnation of this design.

The EU only cares claiming the guise of competition when it suits them based on lobbying dollars!

Ah - the truth. It hurts. We really need to start pulling our head out of China's behind or we'll be caught with our pants down again sooner rather than later.