The European Commission has launched an investigation to verify whether Booking.com is adequately combating misleading advertisements, phishing schemes, and irregular accommodation offers. The purpose of this inquiry is to confirm if the platform is complying with European regulations intended for digital services.
The analysis was triggered following an initial assessment and the review of risk reports submitted by the company throughout this year and the three preceding years. Regulatory bodies will examine property listings that do not exist, frauds based on false representations, and lodging offers that do not follow relevant rules.
Furthermore, phishing scams that use reservation data and guest information exchanged with partner establishments will be analyzed. Another aspect under scrutiny relates to paid advertisements that are not properly marked as advertising.
This investigation is based on the Digital Services Act (DSA), which imposes duties on large online platforms in tackling harmful or illegal content. If an infringement is found, penalties could reach up to 6% of the company's global annual turnover.
It is important to note that the initiation of the procedure does not imply that Booking.com has already been deemed guilty; the Commission still needs to determine whether the platform recognized the risks and implemented sufficient actions to mitigate them.
Henna Virkkunen, responsible for technology at the European Commission, emphasized the importance of consumer protection. She stated that European citizens should be able to plan their trips without fear of becoming victims of fraud. Virkkunen also stressed that the legislation defines clear responsibilities for platforms, and it is essential that Booking.com treats these obligations seriously.
For its part, a spokesperson for Booking.com assured that the company is cooperating with the European Commission, stating that safety, trust, and personal data protection are central priorities for Booking.com. The company reinforced its commitment to collaborating with governments, regulators, police forces, and industry partners to combat online fraud and cybercrime, thereby protecting both travelers and partner establishments.
The regulators will have the task of determining whether the measures adopted by the platform comply with the requirements established by Europe.