The UK Competition and Markets Authority proposed on Oct. 20, 2026 requiring Apple to give businesses access to both of the main international standards for iPhone contactless services. The regulator says Apple currently offers only secure element access in the UK. The proposal would add host-based card emulation as an option, but it remains under consultation.
Both standards support near field communication, or NFC, the technology used for contactless services. In the CMA's explanation, secure element stores information on a device, while host-based card emulation stores data off-device. The regulator says access to both could help businesses develop products including payment apps, travel passes and digital keys.
The proposal also addresses cost. The CMA says it has heard concerns from UK businesses that Apple's current NFC access may not be commercially viable because of fees and other terms. It is not proposing to set a price. Instead, it has outlined pricing principles under which it expects charges to be substantially lower than Apple's current fees.
Apple takes a different view. In a statement reported by Reuters, the company said developers can already offer contactless payments in apps through NFC and its secure element. “We do not believe the CMA should require Apple to adopt an approach with lower privacy and security protections,” an Apple spokesperson said.
The consultation closes Nov. 17, 2026. The CMA says it will make a final decision after assessing responses.
