{"id":666032,"date":"2026-06-30T12:45:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T12:45:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/666032\/"},"modified":"2026-06-30T12:45:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T12:45:11","slug":"apple-may-have-to-allow-3rd-party-app-payments-and-apple-pay-rivals-in-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/666032\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple may have to allow 3rd-party app payments and Apple Pay rivals in UK"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\"Apple<\/p>\n

Britain\u2019s antitrust<\/a> regulator has proposed forcing Apple<\/a> to allow developers to link to third-party payment options to purchase apps and subscriptions outside of the App Store<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The proposal would specifically ban Apple from using the same forms of \u201cmalicious compliance\u201d it has tried in both the US and EU \u2026 <\/p>\n

The story so far in the EU and US<\/p>\n

The EU required Apple to permit third-party app stores, while a US court<\/a> ruled that developers have the right to direct iPhone users to third-party payment platforms for app purchases and subscriptions. Britain\u2019s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is now proposing to apply this latter rule in the UK.<\/p>\n

However, Apple has so far sought to circumvent these requirements with tactics described as \u201cmalicious compliance.\u201d In the EU, Apple used \u201cirritating and scary<\/a>\u201d screens intended to deter iPhone owners from using competing app stores. In the US<\/a>, the company insisted it had the right to charge commissions even on purchases made outside the App Store. The net impact of these commissions would negate any benefit<\/a> for developers.<\/p>\n

UK app payment proposals<\/p>\n

The UK\u2019s CMA now proposes<\/a> to allow developers to steer users to alternative payment options outside of both Apple and Google app stores. Google has said it is already taking steps to comply.<\/p>\n

To prevent Apple using the same tactic it is attempting in the US in an ongoing court battle with Epic Games, Reuters<\/a> reports that the CMA specifically bans the iPhone maker from charging developers unreasonable fees for the privilege. <\/p>\n

The watchdog said any fees charged by two of the world\u2019s largest technology companies \u200bfor allowing such \u201csteering\u201d would need to be fair and reasonable, and should be lower than current app store commissions, with \u200bsavings passed on to consumers or reinvested in innovation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile it is only fair for Apple and Google \u2060to be compensated for the services they provide, any fees they charge must be justified through a robust, evidence-led framework involving due \u200breference to both cost and value,\u201d Will Hayter, executive director for digital markets, is expected to say later on Tuesday, according to \u200ban excerpt of his speech.<\/p>\n

The proposal is now open to comments.<\/p>\n

Apple Wallet rivals<\/p>\n

The CMA also proposes to force Apple to allow third-party rivals to the Apple Wallet<\/a> app for contactless payments. This would enable competitors to Apple Pay<\/a>.<\/p>\n

These payments require access to the NFC chip embedded in modern iPhones, but Apple does not permit banks or other financial institutions to use it. The CMA is proposing to change this.<\/p>\n

The CMA said it was also considering requiring Apple to open up access to its near-field communication technology, which is used for contactless payments, potentially allowing developers to offer payment services within their own iOS apps. This could enable UK fintech companies to build alternatives to \u200bApple\u2019s wallet, including account-to-account payments and emerging technologies such as digital currencies, the CMA said.<\/p>\n

Apple opposes both proposals<\/p>\n

Apple, of course, opposes both of the proposals.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen users are directed away from Apple\u2019s trusted payment infrastructure, they lose the protections \u200bthey rely on Apple to provide,\u201d the spokesperson said, adding the U.S. tech giant would continue to \u201cmake \u200bour concerns clear\u201d \u2060to the CMA.<\/p>\n

9to5Mac\u2019s Take<\/p>\n

There is now substantial momentum behind obliging Apple to allow developers to choose third-party payment platforms for app and subscription sales in multiple countries around the world. The UK has clearly learned lessons from Apple\u2019s response in other countries, and is seeking to specifically prevent the iPhone maker from technically complying while simultaneously negating any benefit to developers.<\/p>\n

The case for opening up the NFC chip to banks and finance companies is significantly weaker. Apple\u2019s fees are exceedingly small, and it seems unlikely iPhone users would choose to forgo the convenience of having all contactless payment options within a single app in favor of using rival apps with more limited scope.<\/p>\n

Photo by\u00a0Vagaro<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n

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FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.<\/a><\/p>\n

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