If the rules go ahead it would grant other payment services a right of access to infrastructure such as near-field communication technology embedded in smartphones and make Apple rather cross.

While the EU didn't explicitly name Apple, it said the "most commonly reported issue" related to mobile device manufacturers restricting third-party access to NFC chips. The components handle wireless signals that allow users to pay via their smartphones or watches at store terminals.

Only iPhone and Apple Watch users can only make NFC payments using Apple Pay. Banks and other competitors have said they want the same functionality for their own iPhone apps but that Apple refuses access to the chip. Google's

Android phones allow rival apps to use NFC technology. Only one application is allowed access to it at a time for a given transaction to keep data secure.