Germany tries to force Apple to open iPhone NFC chip

Lawmakers in Germany have passed a law that would require Apple to open the iPhone’s NFC chip to other mobile payment providers.

Germany’s parliament added the amendment affecting Apple to an anti-money laundering law passed on Wednesday. The law would go into effect early next year, according to a Reuters report. It would require operators of electronic wallets to offer access to rivals at a reasonable fee.

"We are surprised by the suddenness of this legislative process and worry the draft proposal has the potential to negatively impact users' payment experience and compromise the security and privacy of financial data," Apple said in a statement via email.

Apple plans to work closely with EU regulators "to help them understand our technical approach to Apple Pay," the statement said.

David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

That could be a specific reference. There is a possible loophole in German laws that could allow Apple to keep its NFC chip locked down, according to MacRumors, adding Apple could argue opening its NFC chip would threaten security.

Germany's move echoes a push a few years ago by Australia’s largest banks to force Apple into collective bargaining to open the iPhone chip to banks so they could offer Apple Pay within their own mobile apps. Apple declined to cooperate, and Australia's government sided with Apple after protracted negotiations.