Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 11 hrs ago
UK proposes opening iPhone contactless technology to rivals
The UK competition watchdog wants Apple to open up iPhone contactless technology to more businesses.
The Competition and Markets Authority says firms should be able to use both major international contactless standards, including one Apple does not currently allow in the UK.
It also expects access fees to be substantially lower, though it is proposing principles for setting prices rather than setting them itself.
The CMA says no rival wallet app has launched in the UK, while several alternatives became available in the EU after Apple opened access there.
Contactless payments account for 39% of UK payments, and more than 60% of adults use digital wallets, with Apple Wallet the most popular.
Apple says wider access could reduce privacy and security protections and argues its current system lets developers offer contactless services securely.
The consultation closes on November 17, after which the CMA will assess responses and make a final decision.
The UK Competition and Markets Authority has proposed requiring Apple to widen access to the iPhone’s contactless technology and lower the fees charged to businesses.
The CMA says Apple’s fees and access rules are making it harder for UK fintech firms and other businesses to innovate and compete.
The proposals would give firms access to both secure element and host-based card emulation technology, which Apple does not currently offer in the UK.
Apple says it does not believe the CMA should require an approach with lower privacy and security protections.
The consultation is open until November 17, after which the CMA will assess responses before making a final decision.
- Who
- The UK Competition and Markets Authority and Apple. UK fintech firms and other businesses could gain access.
- What
- The CMA has proposed wider access to Apple’s iPhone contactless technology and substantially lower fees.
- When
- The proposal was announced on October 20, 2026. The consultation closes on November 17, 2026.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- The CMA says Apple’s fees and access rules risk limiting innovation and competition.
The Competition and Markets Authority
Apple
Access and competition
The Competition and Markets Authority
The CMA says Apple’s fees and access rules make it difficult for UK firms to innovate and compete.
Apple
Apple says its current arrangements allow developers to offer contactless transactions securely and do not stop innovation.
Privacy and security
The Competition and Markets Authority
The CMA says the evidence it has seen indicates that neither of the two main contactless standards raises inherent security concerns.
Apple
Apple says it does not believe the CMA should require an approach with lower privacy and security protections.
The CMA outlined proposals to widen access to Apple’s iPhone contactless technology and lower fees.
The consultation on the proposals is due to close.
The CMA will assess responses before making a final decision.
- Contactless payments
- 39% of UK payments, according to the CMA and sources cited by the articles
- Digital wallet use
- More than 60% of UK adults use digital wallets, according to sources cited by the articles
- Current UK access
- Apple offers secure element technology but not host-based card emulation
- Consultation deadline
- November 17, 2026
- Proposed fee level
- Substantially lower than Apple’s current fees
9 sources
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What people are saying
By removing barriers to entry, we can help create the conditions for brilliant British businesses with great ideas to develop new products and services
We do not believe the CMA should require Apple to adopt an approach with lower privacy and security protections
The CMA’s direction creates a real opportunity for UK fintechs to compete on an equal footing with Big Tech.