Fake 10 Downing Street listing exposes 'unfit' Booking.com, says consumer group
Booking.com said the "limited test" was "not a true reflection of the experience of millions of listings or reviews".
Consumer watchdog Which? has exposed a fake 10 Downing Street listing on travel website Booking.com. Researchers from the UK group were able to book and leave a fake review about the fictional rental, despite clear signs it was a hoax. Booking.com did not remove the listing until two months after it was posted. Which? Travel editor Rory Boland has criticized the company's security measures, claiming its AI systems failed to detect the fake listing.
The watchdog's listing, uploaded on June 18, advertised a one-bedroom apartment in central London. During the 20 minutes Which? allowed customers to request a stay, 14 people expressed interest in booking the property. However, only the researcher's request was accepted. Booking.com stated that its automatic fraud controls were not triggered because the listing was not live for two months.
The fake review also passed the site's checks despite its obvious flaws. Ofcom, which enforces the Online Safety Act (OSA), has the power to enforce swift removal of fraudulent content under the law.
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