The battle for Apple's NFC chip in the iPhone seems to have no end. Now the government wants to force Apple to open up to enable mobile payments with third-party providers.
Yes, you read that right. The government is now trying to force the opening of the NFC chip in the iPhone by law. Currently, it is only available for one payment method, Apple Pay. Third-party payment services cannot access the near-field communication chip. Various banks around the world are fighting Apple's policy – but so far in vain. Even governments have now intervened, but Apple continues to resist. This policy would leave iPhone users no choice – according to Apple's opponents. However, Cupertino has a good reason for this stance – security. Restricted access to the NFC chip would significantly increase general security – with a focus on banking data – according to Apple. If third-party providers were granted access to the "Secure Enclave," the company would no longer be able to fully guarantee it. But opponents want nothing to do with that. While the European Union Apple Pay verification The Bundestag is now trying to force the opening of the interface by law.
“make the technical aspect of Apple Pay more understandable”
The new draft law is intended to compel all operators of payment service infrastructures to generally grant access to these "for a reasonable fee and subject to reasonable access conditions." This would require Apple to allow services like Google Pay to use the NFC chip. But the law actually has a different purpose. It was intended to comply with European anti-money laundering guidelines. The NFC dot was added subsequently. Apple doesn't like this at all. The company has reportedly already complained to the Federal Chancellery. But that's not all. Cupertino has even contacted the US Embassy to represent Apple's interests. The iPhone manufacturer itself has stated that it would like to work more closely with the German federal government to make the technical aspects of Apple Pay more understandable. Further developments therefore remain exciting. (Photo by byvalet / Bigstockphot)
