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Germany Passes Law Forcing Apple to Open Up iPhone's NFC Chip to Apple Pay Rivals, But Loophole May Exist

In a statement to Reuters, Apple said it was "surprised" about the sudden decision and expressed security concerns.
"We are surprised at how suddenly this legislation was introduced," an Apple spokesperson said. "We fear that the draft law could be harmful to user friendliness, data protection and the security of financial information."
As noted by German financial website Finanz-Szene, however, there appears to be a provision in the law that could allow Apple to keep the NFC chip locked down. Specifically, it appears that Apple might be able to argue that opening up the NFC chip would put the security of its customers at risk.
A rough translation of the passage:
Exceptionally, the system undertaking is not required to comply with paragraph 1 if there are reasonable grounds for refusal to make the provision available. These exist, in particular, if the system undertaking can demonstrate that the safety and integrity of the technical infrastructure services is specifically jeopardized by the provision of such facilities. The rejection must be reasonably justified.Earlier this month, the European Union's competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager acknowledged that her department has received "many concerns" over Apple Pay and potential anticompetitive issues. Australia's big banks have also sought open access to the NFC chip on the iPhone in recent years.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)also, how anticompetitive is that i can withdraw money from an ATM of a different bank only if i pay 5-10EUR extra fee?
no one wants to regulate that?
Apple isn't as good at security as google. Android phones can handle google pay and Samsung pay at the same time.
The future is not “everybody having their own locked down solution”
why would anyone even want to use anything other than Apple Pay?
Freedom of choice is great, even if Apple Pay is the best choice right now. It creates competition and drives innovation.
why would anyone even want to use anything other than Apple Pay?
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Apple isn't as good at security as google. Android phones can handle google pay and Samsung pay at the same time.
So next Apple should block bluetooth connections for anything other than AirPods and Apple Watches to prevent "rivals somehow being able to profit"?
Yes. If they felt that would generate the best customer experience, they should be able to do that. Customers have a choice to buy or not to buy their product. If they do not agree with Apple's decision, they have choices. Given that Apple's market share in Germany is about 25%, it seems that it is pretty easy for people to choose other options.
It's a NFC chip the customer paid for, not "their [Apple's] platform"
It is a component integrated with the Secure Enclave, that Apple built. The customer did not pay for the NFC chip, they paid for the product that Apple sold them. Apple is clear about this upfront and if people do not like their decisions, they have options.
Up next: Dropbox banned from using internet provided by Apple's WiFi/cellular chips because of security concerns and you can pay for iCloud anyway
Again, if Apple disclosed that before people purchased the devices, unless they have a monopoly position (in the actual market of smart phones, not iPhones), that is between them and the market.
Again, I am not advocating that they do these things, just arguing that your position is flawed. Apple sells a complete package that most Apple users like. Forcing them to open every component costs resources and introduces potential security issues that does nothing to benefit most of their users and actually harms them.
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