Switzerland’s Competition Commission (COMCO) has launched a preliminary investigation into Apple over its control of contactless payments on iOS devices.
The probe focuses on whether Apple abuses a dominant position by restricting third-party mobile payment providers’ access to the iPhone’s NFC chip, thereby hindering competition with Apple Pay in physical stores.
Key points from the official statement:
- Apple controls the entire NFC payment ecosystem on iOS devices.
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Third-party providers face different terms and conditions in Switzerland compared to those imposed following EU concessions.
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The investigation will examine if these conditions prevent effective competition with Apple Pay for in-store tap-to-pay transactions.
Switzerland is not bound by the EU’s Digital Markets Act settlement, under which Apple opened NFC access to third parties in the EU in 2024.
Swiss payment provider Twint, which holds approximately 62% of the domestic mobile payments market (University of St. Gallen, May 2025), welcomed the probe and called for non-discriminatory access for all market participants.
MacDailyNews Note: Apple has not yet commented on the investigation.
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