EU antitrust regulators seeking more info on Apple Pay

EU antitrust regulators are searching for extra data on Apple’s cell cost system, the European Commission stated on Wednesday, an indication that the enforcer is trying to shut any loopholes and increase its case towards the iPhone maker.

The EU competitors watchdog final yr accused Apple of proscribing rivals’ entry to its tap-and-go expertise, Near-Field Communication (NFC), used for cell wallets, making it tough for them to develop rival companies on Apple gadgets.

“We can confirm the sending of requests for information,” a fee spokesperson stated, whereas declining to offer particulars.

Apple declined to remark.

Apple has beforehand pointed to PayPal’s success on its iOS cell working system as an choice for customers in addition to competitors from Danish rival CellularPay, Sweden’s Swish and Belgium’s Payconiq.

Norwegian cell cost app and complainant Vipps stated, nevertheless, that alternate options to NFC are cumbersome and never aggressive.

The fee’s request for data to rivals and retailers is uncommon because it comes three months after Apple defended itself at a Feb. 14 listening to. The regulator, which might tremendous Apple as much as 10% of its international turnover if discovered responsible of breaching antitrust guidelines, usually points selections after such hearings.

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