Apple Pay Fee Lawsuit Gains Class Certification for Card Issuers
A U.S. judge has certified a class allowing banks and credit unions that issued Apple Pay-enabled cards to sue Apple together. The antitrust suit claims Apple blocks rival tap-to-pay wallets and charges card issuers 0.15 percent for credit transactions and half a cent for debit transactions. Apple has since opened NFC access to developers in several countries, while plaintiffs seek refunds and an end to the disputed policies.
The litigation dates to 2022. This week, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White certified a class covering American card issuers that enabled Apple Pay and paid Apple’s transaction fees. He also rejected Apple’s attempt to strike plaintiff expert testimony concerning alleged monopoly power in mobile wallets.
The challenged fees are 0.15 percent for credit and half a cent for debit, meaning a $1,000 Apple Pay purchase yields $1.50 for Apple, according to the suit. Since filing, Apple has let developers offer NFC contactless payments in apps via iOS 18.1 across multiple countries. Plaintiffs seek fee refunds and an injunction.
If the class succeeds, banks and credit unions could gain leverage over Apple Pay’s fee model, potentially affecting how mobile wallet costs are passed to merchants or consumers. Apple may face pressure to further open iPhone NFC access, which could reshape competition among tap-to-pay providers. Consumers might see more wallet choices or different rewards and fees, though outcomes remain uncertain as the case proceeds.