European Commission investigates Booking.com's handling of scams and fraud
The European Commission has opened an investigation into how Booking.com handles scams and fraud, to determine whether it breached the Digital Services Act by failing to diligently assess or effectively mitigate the risks of fake listings and phishing scams. The investigation will focus on non-existent listings, impersonation fraud, non-compliant accommodation products, as well as phishing risks in the sharing of booking and guest data with accommodation providers and in the platform's messaging service, and will also review advertising transparency obligations; large online platforms that violate the DSA can be fined up to 6% of global annual turnover.
Why recommended:The European Commission has opened a formal investigation under the DSA into Booking.com's handling of fraudulent listings and phishing risks, from which readers can understand the platform's compliance obligations and the potential penalty framework.