EU probes whether Booking.com is doing enough to tackle fake listings and phishing scams

The European Union has initiated an investigation into Booking.com, the online travel platform, following concerns that the company has not adequately addressed issues such as fake listings and phishing scams. EU authorities are concerned that Booking.com may have underestimated the impact of fraud and unlicensed accommodation on its platform, as well as failed to protect users' data from scammers.

EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen emphasized that Europeans should be able to book their holidays without fear of being scammed. The investigation also looks into whether Booking.com breached the Digital Services Act (DSA), the EU's comprehensive law regulating online platforms. This marks the first investigation into Booking.com under the DSA.

The law sets clear responsibilities for online platforms, and Virkkunen stated that the leading booking platform in Europe must take these responsibilities seriously. Booking.com has stated that it is cooperating fully with the investigation and prioritizes security, trust, and the protection of personal information. The DSA could result in fines of up to 6% of the company's global annual turnover if violations are confirmed.

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