Apple is Marathi Archivesnot exactly thrilled by the Australian banking industry's attempts to undermine its rollout of Apple Pay.
In July, four major financial institutions applied to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to negotiate collectively with Apple regarding mobile payments.
SEE ALSO: Apple's App Store just had its best month everFor the banks -- Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank, and Westpac -- the fight centred on the fact that Apple does not allow outside banking apps to use iPhone hardware in favour of its own Apple Pay service.
"Apple's refusal to provide third-party apps with any access to the [near-field communication] functionality of its devices sets it apart from other hardware manufacturers," it said in the application. It's the NFC antenna that allows a smartphone to communicate with a payment terminal.
Now the technology company has hit back at what it calls the banks' "innuendo" and "misstatements," arguing their demands would create a security threat. Its submission, signed by the local head of Apple Pay, Marj Demmer, urges the ACCC to reject the banks' application.
Apple claims opening up its NFC functionality to the banks would be risky.
"Our hardware, software and services are built in a deeply integrated manner so we can provide the highest possible security."
"Our hardware, software and services are built in a deeply integrated manner so we can provide the highest possible security," it writes.
Apple Pay keeps payments secure using a system of tokenisation. Instead of sharing your credit card information during a transaction, the app instead creates a unique token as a stand-in, which it shares with the point of sale.
Users also submit a payment using their fingerprint via Apple's Touch ID system. The fingerprint and the device's unique account number are stored on the iPhone separate from Apple's operating system, Apple Pay servers and iCloud.
Apple has been approached by Mashable for further details about the nature of the security threat.
Calling the banks a "cartel," the company also suggests granting the banks' application would produce anticompetitive results for the Australian consumer.
As Apple notes, the banks in the application together account for 66 percent of Australian credit card balances and 70 percent of household deposits.
"The request by the application banks would slow innovation and reduce choices by protecting members of the cartel from competition with each other," it says.
"Allowing the banks to form a cartel to collectively dictate terms to new business models and services would set a troubling precedent and delay the introduction of new, potentially disruptive technologies."
In the submission, Apple shares that negotiations began with Australian banks in late 2014. The contactless payments service launched in November with only American Express on board, followed by its only major banking partner, ANZ, in April.
Although the banks are not attempting to negotiate collectively over banking fees, it's been reported the banks also clashed with Apple regarding how banking fees would be shared.
(H/T Australian Financial Review)
Best gift for kids deal: National Geographic Rock Tumbler Kit on sale for $19 off at AmazonBest earbuds deal: Amazon Echo Buds with ANC on sale at $35Xpeng Motors to invest $413 million in flying cars this year: CEO · TechNodeXiaomi CEO Lei Jun awards one million yuan scholarship at Wuhan University · TechNodeBest Prime Day 2024 Kindle deals so farNinebot logo theft sparks debate, company offers free replacement service · TechNodeU.S. satellites reveal China's solar dominanceIntel and TSMC reach preliminary agreement for US chip plant joint venture: report · TechNodeLenovo Legion Go S handheld gaming PC priced at $549.99, set for release on May 25 · TechNodeTencent tests Yuanbao AI assistant within WeChat, expanding its role beyond chat · TechNode35+ best early Prime Day Apple dealsChina and EU resume negotiations on EV duties following Trump tariff hikes · TechNodeTikTok expands eMeta erases Trump account restrictions as candidates prepare for November electionDeepSeek files patent for smarter, more efficient AI data collection · TechNodeCanada vs. Uruguay 2024 livestream: Watch Copa America thirdApple's iPhone 18 to feature TSMC’s 2nm chip next year · TechNodeTencent upgrades Yuanbao AI with selfStellantisKrejcikova vs. Paolini 2024 livestream: Watch Wimbledon for free 'Hamilton' songs get gorgeous ASL treatments Hackers leak copy of Michelle Obama's passport, but is it real? How to check if you've been the victim of a breach like the Yahoo hack All the hosts are leaving 'Great British Bake Off' but Americans should still watch The bittersweet ballad of 'Captain Earthman,' the most beloved beer vendor in baseball Verizon issued a pretty stunning statement concerning the Yahoo breach Gorgeous video shows off Johnny Depp's $12.8 million penthouse Tulsa teacher's Facebook post: 'put yourself in the shoes of a child of color' The Vamp Stereo repurposes old speakers with great new sound Passive aggressively ask friends to pay you back with Facebook's new feature 'Mr. Robot' Season 2 finale review 5 top smartphones in the 48 Facebook 'Safety Check' activated amidst violent Charlotte protests Datawind's $45 smartphone will come with free internet subscription in India Mel Brooks and Morgan Freeman lead list of award winners at White House You can take your iPhone 7 surfing with you Hillary Clinton's 'Between Two Ferns' interview is hilariously awkward Airbnb is now worth $30 billion after raising a fresh $550 million What If Microsoft Had Released an Officebook Instead of the Surface RT Everyone's making the same joke about Yahoo's massive data breach
3.2032s , 8231.3203125 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【Marathi Archives】,Co-creation Information Network