Apple, frequently scrutinized by the European Commission in recent years, is now under investigation by the Swiss Competition Commission (SCC) over its iPhone NFC access policies.
Following an initial relaxation in the European Union, Apple began allowing third-party access to the iPhone’s NFC chip last year. However, to use this feature, developers must enter into a commercial agreement with Apple and pay associated fees. The SCC’s current probe focuses on whether these terms may violate Swiss competition laws.
The SCC aims to determine if Apple’s conditions restrict other mobile payment providers from effectively competing with Apple Pay for contactless payments on iOS devices in physical stores. Notably, the SCC highlighted that Apple’s NFC access terms in Switzerland differ from those enforced in the European Economic Area (EEA).
This investigation is currently at a preliminary stage, and its duration remains uncertain. We will provide updates as new information becomes available.
