Apple faces UK CMA legal fight over Tap to Pay
Summary
Apple is involved in a legal fight with the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over its "Tap to Pay" feature. This dispute arises as the CMA has been consulting on conduct requirements for major mobile platforms, which could lead to mandates for increased access to contactless payment technology. Current regulatory reviews in the UK are focused on allowing third-party developers and fintech firms greater access to smartphone NFC capabilities, aiming to promote alternative digital wallets and enhance contactless transaction options.
Analysis
FT: The Financial Times is a prominent international newspaper specializing in business, finance, economics, and technology coverage with a global readership. It reported on Apple's ongoing legal and regulatory dispute with the UK CMA concerning Tap to Pay. Apple: Apple Inc. is a leading technology company that designs consumer electronics, software platforms, and digital services including the iPhone and its integrated payment systems. The company is currently facing regulatory action from the UK Competition and Markets Authority over its Tap to Pay contactless feature and related restrictions on iOS payment functionality. Payments: Ongoing UK regulatory reviews focus on opening smartphone NFC capabilities to third-party developers and fintech firms to support alternative digital wallets and contactless transactions. Regulation: The UK CMA has been consulting on conduct requirements for major mobile platforms that include potential mandates for greater access to contactless payment technology.
Categories
techmacropolitics
Related sources
- https://www.wired-gov.net/wg/news.nsf/articles/CMA+consults+on+new+requirements+for+Apple+and+Googles+mobile+platforms+30062026152500?open
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgkzg3mkgx6o
- https://www.ft.com/content/70938261-e2cc-4e1c-b520-8e5cce6c607d
- https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/apple-says-uk-app-store-proposal-amounts-price-regulation-2026-07-29/
- https://www.ft.com/content/2c19c17a-b184-4e05-95de-2274a7f1ca76
- https://www.itbiz.cz/v-britanii-zjistili-ze-z-uzamcenych-iphonu-mohou-odchazet-nepovolene-platby/
- https://bbc.bm/apple-says-uk-app-store-proposal-amounts-to-price-regulation
- https://thefintechtimes.com/tap-global-appoints-moorwand-to-issue-new-multi-currency-mastercard/
- https://bratby.law/dma-in-app-payments/
- https://www.paymentsjournal.com/contactless-payments-gain-ground-on-big-ticket-purchases/
- https://consumervoice.uk/action/apple-pay-claim/
- https://www.catribunal.org.uk/sites/cat/files/2026-03/2026.03.18_1761_Daley_Reasoned_Order_0.pdf
- https://archive.is/2026.07.30-212926/https://www.ft.com/content/762a504e-fca8-49d0-9f2e-b2f142fd749a?syn-25a6b1a6=1