Apple is facing new challenges in the European Union because of its payment platform. EU competition officials are reportedly intensifying an investigation into Apple Pay after asking retailers for more information on the use and availability of mobile payment platforms.
Image source: Apple
Last year, the EU competition regulator accused Apple of restricting developer access to its Apple Pay mobile wallet payment technology, making it harder to develop competing services on Apple devices. The company has previously pointed to the success of PayPal as an alternative for online payments, as well as competition from Danish developer MobilePay, Sweden’s Swish and Belgium’s Payconiq. However, Norwegian mobile payment app developer Vipps said there are alternatives Apple Pay cumbersome and uncompetitive.
The Commission’s request for information from competitors and resellers raises questions because the request came three months after Apple’s defense at a Feb. 14 hearing. Practice shows that the regulatory authority makes decisions immediately after such hearings.
Among other things, the EU is currently also examining the availability of other payment solutions for mobile devices, including the use of QR codes and Bluetooth technologies as an alternative to the NFC chip.
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