The EU decided to target Apple with antitrust complaints about its mobile wallet because of Apple Pay competitorPayPal. The European Commission issued a Statement of Objections against Apple after multiple companies filed informal complaints about the way Apple restricts third-party apps from accessing the Near Field Communication capabilities of the iPhone.

The European Commission believes that Apple is unfairly limiting access to the chip, preventing payment services from offering features that are equivalent to Apple Pay, which in turn limits the mobile payment options.

Apple Pay is the only tap to pay method that is available on the. The restriction is designed to safeguard user privacy and security, but it will be investigated by the EU.

The European Commission has informed Apple of its preliminary view that it abused its dominant position in markets for mobile wallets on iOS devices. By limiting access to a standard technology used for contactless payments with mobile devices in stores ('Near-Field Communication (NFC)' or 'tap and go'), Apple restricts competition in the mobile wallets market on iOS.

The company wants to be able to offer a similar tap to pay feature on the ios device. It is not possible for a feature like this to be used with Apple&s current restrictions.

Third-party apps will be able to use the Near Field Communication chip for the upcoming Apple Pay feature, which will allow compatible phones to accept payments.

The company plans to continue to engage with the commission in order to ensure that Apple Pay is popular on the device.

This isn't the first time that Apple has faced criticism for limiting access to Near Field Communication on their phones. Australian banks wanted to launch an alternative to Apple Pay, but were unsuccessful.

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