06:49 AM EDT, 07/11/2024 (MT Newswires) -- The European Commission said Thursday it has secured a commitment from Apple ( AAPL ) to open its iPhones to rivals' tap-and-go contactless payment systems among users in the European Economic Area.

"Apple ( AAPL ) has committed to allow rivals to access the 'tap and go' technology of iPhones," said Margrethe Vestager, executive vice president in charge of competition policy at the commission. "From now on, competitors will be able to effectively compete with Apple Pay for mobile payments with the iPhone in shops. So consumers will have a wider range of safe and innovative mobile wallets to choose from."

The proposed change is part of an ongoing European Union antitrust probe of Apple ( AAPL ), which currently allows iPhone owners to use only the Apple Wallet or Apple Pay applications to make contactless payments. The commission said it preliminarily determined that Apple's ( AAPL ) exclusion of rivals "led to less innovation and choice for iPhone mobile wallets users" and may breach EU antitrust rules.

All contactless payment systems use the same near-field-communication technology standard. The European Commission said Apple ( AAPL ) has offered to allow rival wallet apps on iPhones and set them as their default payment choice. The company has also agreed to make it easier for developers to access the iPhone's payment architecture.

"The commission concluded that Apple's ( AAPL ) final commitments would address its competition concerns over Apple's ( AAPL ) restriction of third-party mobile wallet developers' access," the European Commission said.

Apple ( AAPL ) did not immediately reply to MT Newswires' request for comment.

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