The European Commission believes that Apple limits competition, without providing third -party developers access to the NFC technology for Apple Pay.

The regulatory bodies of the European Union accused Apple of violating the law by suppressing competition in the markets of mobile wallets, which can lead to fines of billions of dollars.

The statement of the European Commission (EC) of May 2 states that it sent an Apple company to the indictment, known as an statement of objections, which states that the technological giant abused its dominant position in the IOS mobile wallet markets, restricting competitors' access to the detriment the choice of consumers.

The EC statement says that Apple abused her dominant position in the IOS mobile wallet market, reserved access to NFC technology for Apple Pay.

Although the regulators did not specify what punishment they would demand for Apple if the preliminary conclusions of the antimonopoly investigation are confirmed, they made it clear that Apple’s actions could be equated to violation of the EU antimonopoly legislation.

Violation of the antimonopoly rules of the EU can lead to a fine of 10% of the total world turnover of Apple, which in 2021 amounted to $ 365.8 billion, that is, Apple can be fined approximately $ 36.6 billion.

The company previously stated that it restricts third -party access to its technology of contactless payments in order to improve safety. Westagger, however, rejected the Apple argument about security.

Apple said in the statement of The Associated Press that "will continue to interact with the EC to provide European consumers with the method of payment for their chosen payment in a safe and reliable environment."

The company noted that its digital wallet service is one of many payment solutions available to the EU consumers, and that it “provided equal access” to its NFC technology.

Apple will now be able to get acquainted with the documents of the EC antimonopoly investigation and request oral hearings in order to present their comments on the case to the regulators.

This event marks the second accusation of the EU against Apple after the regulatory authorities accused the company of distorting competition in the market of streaming of music last year.

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