### Apple Responds to Brazil’s NFC Demands
In a recent communication with Brazil’s competition authority, Apple has reaffirmed its stance against demands for greater access to the iPhone’s Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. This reply follows a request from Brazil’s central bank and the banking association Febraban, which sought to investigate whether Apple was unjustly limiting third-party payment providers’ access to NFC functionalities relative to its own offerings.
#### Background of the Inquiry
The investigation was prompted by worries over Apple’s market behavior in Brazil, where it maintains around 10% of the smartphone market. Apple argues that third-party developers have been able to use the iPhone’s NFC technology since 2024 and maintains that the Brazilian market is sufficiently equipped with various payment methods. According to Apple, its payment solution, Apple Pay, does not negatively affect consumers or block competitors, and there exists no Brazilian legislation forbidding Apple from charging for its services.
#### The Significance of PIX
Apple’s claim regarding the Brazilian market’s ample payment solutions emphasizes the importance of PIX, a local payment system introduced in 2020 that has rapidly become the preferred method in the nation. The Brazilian central bank launched a contactless protocol for PIX last year, which Apple has chosen not to implement, arguing that it is not an essential feature for Brazilian users who primarily process PIX payments through QR codes.
#### Apple’s Latest Position
In a subsequent communication to CADE, Apple upheld its stance, stating that third-party banks and payment entities are attempting to leverage Apple’s proprietary technology without rewarding the investments made in research and development. Apple’s legal representatives stressed that these entities are pursuing an NFC access model that could complicate user experience by necessitating consumers to choose a payment method each time they intend to use a different card, unlike the streamlined experience provided by Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.
This statement followed a meeting between Apple officials and Banco Central’s director of regulation, Gilneu Francisco Astolfi Vivan, intended to discuss regulatory issues.
### Conclusion
Apple’s resistance to Brazil’s NFC access demands highlights the persistent friction between tech firms and regulatory entities regarding market operations and consumer accessibility. As the digital payments landscape continues to change, the results of this inquiry may have considerable repercussions for both Apple and the wider payment ecosystem in Brazil.