Apple is set to face fresh antitrust charges in Brussels next week over the way it disadvantages rivals within its mobile payment system, four people with intimate knowledge of the matter said, the Financial Times reported.
The tech giant risks heavy fines after competition investigators accused Apple of breaking EU law, these people said.
Investigators are concerned that Apple’s reluctance to let third party payment systems access its NFC payment chip technology is distorting the market and undermining rivals.
This is one of multiple investigations that have been opened in Brussels against the Silicon Valley company, including two others where antitrust investigators are probing whether Apple is harming competition in the books and music streaming services within its App Store.
The timing of the announcement could still slip, these people warned. It comes after regulators approved two landmark legislations to curb the power of big tech.
The European Commission, the executive body of the EU, declined to comment. Apple also declined to comment.
