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Apple Restores Card Payments in India
6 Jul
Summary
- Apple reinstates card payments for Apple Account in India.
- This change follows India's recurring payments framework updates.
- The move adapts Apple's services to local regulatory demands.
Apple has resumed accepting card payments for its Apple Account in India, marking a return after a more than four-year absence. This reinstatement enables users to link eligible Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards for services like iCloud+ and Apple Music, as well as App Store transactions. The initial suspension occurred in May 2022 due to changes in India's recurring payments framework.
This strategic move underscores Apple's commitment to adapting its global services to country-specific regulations. Such regulatory pressures have previously prompted adjustments in Europe, Japan, and South Korea. The Reserve Bank of India's 2021 framework mandated stronger customer authentication and tokenized card credentials, impacting subscription billing significantly.
Industry experts note that while Apple's services business in India has seen double-digit growth despite the payment restrictions, restoring card options is crucial for accommodating an expanding user base and their payment preferences. This development also fuels speculation about a potential Apple Pay launch in India, though no official plans have been announced.
