A NFC tag includes an NFC controller, with a secure element coupled to the NFC controller. The secure element is to send first configuration data to the NFC controller and not second configuration data. The first configuration data comprises data to be used by the NFC controller to generate responses to initial polling and anti-collision commands from an external NFC device and not data to be used by the NFC controller in processing a command from the external NFC device involving the use of an upper layer protocol. The second configuration data comprises data to be used by the NFC controller in processing a command involving the use of an upper layer protocol from the external NFC device.