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European Commission investigates Booking.com over fraud and phishing risks
The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into Booking.com to determine if the platform has violated the Digital Services Act (DSA). The inquiry focuses on whether the company has adequately identified and mitigated systemic risks, specifically regarding fraudulent accommodation listings, identity impersonation, and phishing scams.
Regulators are examining several key areas: the prevalence of non-existent properties, the security of reservation and guest data shared with providers, and the potential misuse of the platform’s internal messaging system to solicit fraudulent payments. Additionally, the Commission is investigating the transparency of search results, specifically whether paid or “boosted” listings are clearly labeled as advertisements.
Failure to comply with the DSA could result in significant financial penalties, with fines reaching up to 6% of the company’s annual global turnover. Booking.com has stated it is cooperating with the Commission and maintains that security and data protection are top priorities.
Entities
Amsterdam · Booking Holdings · Booking.com · Digital Services Act · European Commission · Henna Virkkunen · Thomas Regnier · Tomas Renije
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 48 SOURCES] The investigation includes a review of how paid search results are labeled as advertising. www.kurierverlag.de · www.finanzen.ch · www.hna.de · www.merkur.de · www.onetz.de · +34 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] Booking.com reported a 500 percent global increase in fraud cases. www.kurierverlag.de · www.hna.de · www.merkur.de · www.onetz.de · www.it-daily.net · +1 more
- [● 32 SOURCES] The Commission is examining how reservation and guest data is shared with accommodation providers. www.kurierverlag.de · www.finanzen.ch · www.hna.de · www.merkur.de · www.onetz.de · +20 more
- [● 51 SOURCES] The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into Booking.com. www.kurierverlag.de · www.finanzen.ch · www.hna.de · www.merkur.de · www.onetz.de · +37 more
- [DISPUTED] In the first half of 2026, 1,072 fraud reports were received causing 82,000 euros in damage. www.kurierverlag.de · www.hna.de · www.merkur.de · www.onetz.de · www.it-daily.net
- [● 11 SOURCES] Booking.com is cooperating with the Commission. www.finanzen.ch · dailydigest.ie · www.elmundo.es · www.botosaneanul.ro · www.origo.hu · +5 more
- [● 25 SOURCES] Booking.com could face fines of up to 6% of its annual global turnover for violations. www.botosaneanul.ro · www.origo.hu · www.kurierverlag.de · de.euronews.com · www.moreto.net · +20 more
- [● 29 SOURCES] The investigation is being conducted under the EU Digital Services Act. www.botosaneanul.ro · dailydigest.ie · www.moreto.net · safenews.md · www.origo.hu · +24 more
- [● 26 SOURCES] The investigation focuses on non-existent properties and identity impersonation fraud. www.botosaneanul.ro · dailydigest.ie · www.moreto.net · polskiobserwator.de · safenews.md · +21 more