European Commission investigates Booking over scams

The European Commission has initiated an investigation into Dutch-based travel website Booking.com, questioning whether the platform has violated data protection laws by failing to address fake advertisements. The inquiry also examines if Booking.com disclosed to users which ads were ranked higher in search results due to higher payment rates, as mandated by transparency regulations.

A separate aspect of the investigation alleges that the company exposed users to phishing scams orchestrated by hackers who infiltrated Booking.com's reservation and guest data. Booking.com may face fines equivalent to 6% of its annual revenue if the Commission determines the company has infringed upon the rules and fails to amend its policies.

Reported scams on the website surged by 500% from 2022 to 2024, with fraud reaching €4.2 billion in 2024 alone. Henna Virkkunen, the European Commissioner for Tech Sovereignty, emphasized: "Europeans should be able to book their holidays without fear of being scammed." In response, Booking.com stated: "We are cooperating fully with the investigation, and security, trust, and the protection of personal information are our top priorities."

The company reiterated its commitment to collaborating with relevant governments, regulators, law enforcement, and industry partners to combat cybercrime and online fraud, safeguarding both travelers and partners.