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 correctly. The government is now trying to force the opening of the NFC chip in the iPhone by law. So far, it is only available for one payment method, namely Apple Pay. Third-party payment services cannot access the near-field communication chip. Various banks around the world are fighting against Apple's policy - but so far in vain. Even governments have now intervened, but Apple is still resisting. This policy would leave iPhone users no choice - according to Apple's opponents. Cupertino, however, has a good reason for this attitude - security. Restricted access to the NFC chip would significantly increase general security - with a focus on bank data - according to Apple. If third-party providers were given access to the "Secure Enclave", the company would no longer be able to fully guarantee it. But opponents don't want to hear about that. While the European Union has a 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 force all operators of payment service infrastructures to generally grant access to these "for a reasonable fee and under reasonable access conditions". According to this, Apple would have to allow services such as Google Pay to use the NFC chip. But the law actually has a different background. It was designed to comply with European money laundering guidelines. The NFC point was added afterwards. Apple doesn't like this at all. The company is said to have already complained to the Chancellery. But that's not all. Cupertino has even contacted the US embassy to represent Apple's interests. The iPhone manufacturer itself says it would like to work more closely with the German government to make the technical aspect of Apple Pay more understandable. The further development therefore remains exciting. (Photo by byvalet / Bigstockphot)
