UK Regulator Targets Apple's NFC Monopoly

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is proposing that Apple open up its iPhone NFC (Near-Field Communication) access to allow UK fintechs and businesses to compete with Apple Wallet. According to reporting from Engadget, the CMA argues that Apple's current access terms and "onerous" fees are blocking innovation in a country where contactless technology now accounts for 39 percent of all payments and supports over 360,000 jobs.

While Apple has provided some NFC technology access to developers globally via iOS 18.1, the CMA notes that UK firms remain trapped in Apple's ecosystem and must pay fees. The regulator highlights a stark difference with the European Union, where Apple previously committed to providing developers access to NFC technology, Face ID authentication, and "double-click to pay" features to avoid antitrust fines of up to 10 percent of its global annual turnover. The CMA states that "not a single firm" has launched a competing wallet-type product in the UK.

The CMA is calling for Apple to adopt main international contactless standards and establish "substantially lower" charges based on proposed principles to make access commercially viable. The regulator further asserted that neither the proposed open access nor current technology raises inherent security concerns.

In a statement provided to Engadget, Apple objected to the proposal, arguing that its existing NFC and SE Platform already allows developers and banks to offer secure contactless transactions. Apple stated it does not believe the CMA should require an approach that results in "lower privacy and security protections."

The CMA's consultation period is scheduled to close on November 17, 2026.