The Touch ‘n Go eWallet app was just removed from the Apple App Store!
Here is what we know so far…
Touch ‘n Go eWallet Removed From Apple App Store!
Apple quietly removed the Touch ‘n Go eWallet (TNG eWallet) from the App Store a few days ago.
The TNG eWallet download page now states “App Not Available – The app is currently not available in your country or region“.
It was also removed from the App Store search listing. The Boost eWallet now appears, instead of the TNG eWallet.
Interestingly, the download page in the official Touch ‘n Go eWallet website is also not functioning, with a 404 error – Page not found.
It is however still available in the Google Play Store, so Android users can still download it just fine.
Even though the Touch ‘n Go eWallet app is no longer available in the Apple App Store, you can continue to use it if you had already installed it earlier.
The TNG Digital team stated that they are working to resolve the issue with Apple, and confirmed that the app that is installed in your iPhone will continue to work with all features fully-functioning.
This does not mean the removal is to be taken lightly. Until the app is restored to the App Store, you will no longer be able to update the app.
Over time, you may lose out on new features. But more importantly, you will no longer receive security and fixes.
Why Was Touch ‘n Go eWallet Removed From App Store?!
Neither Apple nor Touch ‘n Go eWallet stated why the TNG eWallet app was removed from the App Store.
However, I believe Apple removed it because of the recently-added NFC top-up feature for physical Touch ‘n Go cards.
That’s because Apple Pay is the only mobile wallet / eWallet allowed to use the iPhone and iPad’s NFC capabilities for contactless payments.
That limitation has resulted in an antitrust charge by the European Union :
The European Commission has informed Apple of its preliminary view that it abused its dominant position in markets for mobile wallets on iOS devices. By limiting access to a standard technology used for contactless payments with mobile devices in stores (‘Near-Field Communication (NFC)’ or ‘tap and go’), Apple restricts competition in the mobile wallets market on iOS.
The Commission takes issue with the decision by Apple to prevent mobile wallets app developers, from accessing the necessary hardware and software (‘NFC input’) on its devices, to the benefit of its own solution, Apple Pay.
If this was the reason for the TNG eWallet app’s removal, it will be yet another example of Apple’s egregious anti-competitive nature, and yet another strike against their walled garden.
If they continue to lock down the NFC feature on the iPhone / iPad to force the use of Apple Pay, they will invite more anti-trust actions, and possibly turn people to the Android platform.
Unfortunately, there’s really nothing much Apple users can do.
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