Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Switzerland Opens Preliminary Antitrust Probe Into Apple’s iPhone NFC Terms

Regulators will test whether Apple’s Swiss conditions for third‑party tap‑to‑pay match its EU commitments.

Overview

  • The Secretariat of the Swiss Competition Commission launched the inquiry on December 10 to review access rules for iPhone NFC in Switzerland.
  • Officials are collecting input from market participants to determine if a full investigation should proceed.
  • The review centers on whether rival mobile wallets can compete fairly with Apple Pay for in‑store contactless payments.
  • Switzerland is outside the EU, where Apple agreed in July 2024 to open NFC access, and Apple began allowing Swiss developers access in late 2024.
  • Android has long permitted third‑party NFC use, and openings abroad have already enabled alternatives such as VippsMobilePay to offer tap‑to‑pay on iPhone.