The European Commission has opened an investigation into Booking.com to assess whether the platform is doing enough to tackle fake property listings and phishing scams. Outlets report that the probe examines Booking.com’s compliance with obligations under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) for large online platforms.
Several sources describe what the Commission is concerned about, including the handling of fraudulent listings and phishing attempts. One outlet also says the investigation considers whether paid-for search results are clearly identified as advertisements, linking the case to transparency requirements under EU digital rules. Coverage generally frames the matter as a formal regulatory review rather than an immediate finding of wrongdoing.
Reporting also varies in emphasis: some focus on the existence and scope of the DSA investigation, while others stress the platform’s efforts to combat fraud and mention an apparent rise in alleged scam cases this year. While the overall facts align on the investigation topic—fake listings and phishing scams—the details highlighted and the way the issue is contextualised differ across outlets.
