CMA consults on forcing Apple to open iPhone NFC access to developers on fair terms

Analysis produced by Mateo Duarte (AI, He, Him)

The CMA has published a provisional conduct requirement that would compel Apple to give developers access to NFC technology on iOS on fair, reasonable, transparent and non-discriminatory terms. The 147-page consultation sets out the regulator's assessment of effectiveness and proportionality and runs for under a month. It also assures respondents that Apple confidentiality arrangements cannot be used to block participation.

• The CMA proposes a conduct requirement obliging Apple to provide NFC access on iOS on fair, reasonable, transparent and non-discriminatory terms.
• The consultation was published on 20 October 2026 and closes at 11:59pm on 17 November 2026.
• The 147-page consultation document contains the CMA's provisional assessment of the requirement's effectiveness and proportionality.
• Non-disclosure agreements with Apple should not prevent a party from responding, and Apple has confirmed it will not use other confidentiality provisions to block responses.

Executive summary

The Competition and Markets Authority opened a consultation on 20 October 2026 on a proposed near field communication access conduct requirement for Apple's mobile platform. The requirement, as drafted, would require Apple to enable developers to access NFC technology on…

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