Swiss Commission Probes Apple NFC Access Terms

Switzerland's Competition Commission has launched a preliminary antitrust investigation into Apple's terms for granting third-party access to the NFC chip in iPhones, raising questions about whether these conditions allow rival mobile payment apps to compete effectively with Apple Pay.

The probe, announced on December 10 by the commission's secretariat, focuses on the commercial agreements and fees Apple requires for developers to use the iPhone's near-field communication technology for contactless payments in stores. Officials stated that the investigation aims to determine "whether other providers of mobile payment apps can effectively compete with Apple Pay for contactless payments with iOS devices in shops." The commission is gathering information from market participants to assess compliance with Swiss antitrust laws and decide if a full inquiry is warranted.

Apple began allowing third-party access to its NFC and Secure Element platform worldwide in August 2024, several months after complying with requirements from the European Commission in the European Union. In the EU, where Switzerland is not a member, Apple agreed in July 2024 to open the technology to rivals following...