EU opens investigation into Booking.com over fake listings and scams

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 16:20 · Archive

The European Commission has opened an investigation into Booking.com over inadequate protections against fake listings and phishing scams on its platform. The Commission said the accommodation website may have breached the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) with its 'absolutely substandard' approach to tackling fraudulent listings and phishing scams, where criminals impersonate third parties to trick users into handing over money.

A Commission official said Booking.com should be carrying out risk assessments and acting to prevent fraud as required under the DSA. 'Although they take measures, they could go much further and they could have much more solid systems to prevent fraud,' the official said. The investigation will also examine whether Booking.com has breached advertising transparency rules, potentially by not making clear to users that some accommodation providers had paid for increased visibility on the website.

Under the EU's DSA, which aims to protect people from harmful and illegal internet content, a company could be fined up to 6% of its worldwide annual turnover. The Commission said that opening the investigation did not prejudge the outcome. Booking.com, headquartered in Amsterdam, said it was engaging constructively with the Commission. 'Security, trust and the protection of personal information are top priorities at Booking.com,' a company spokesperson said.

How it is being reported

• Booking.com under investigation by EU regulators over fake listings and scamsEuropean Commission calls accommodation website’s approach to fraudulent listings and phishing scams as ‘absolutely substandard’ EU regulators have opened an investigation into Booking.com, alleging that the accommodation website has not done enough to protect consumers from fake listings and scams. The European Commission, which regulates the world’s biggest tech companies operating in the EU, said Booking.com may have breached the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) with its “absolutely substandard” approach to tackling fraudulent listings and phishing scams, where criminals impersonate a…Guardian Business · 21 Oct, 16:01
• EU wants Booking.com to check out of its scam problemCommission opens DSA probe into fake listings and phishing on the platform, says its fraud defenses 'absolutely substandard'The Register · 21 Oct, 12:10

In this story: Booking.com · European Commission · EU · Amsterdam

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