# European Commission regulatory scrutiny of Booking.com > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/european-commission-regulatory-scrutiny-of-bookingcom > Updated: 2026-10-25T23:08:04.000Z. Sources: 143. Developments: 4. Booking.com has implemented voluntary transparency measures across the European Economic Area (EEA) following regulatory discussions regarding the Digital Markets Act. These changes include modifications to the ‘Booking Sponsored Benefit’ program, ensuring that prices on external channels or a hotel’s own website no longer influence program eligibility. The company also removed ‘competitive’ and ‘non-competitive’ labels from its extranet to reduce pressure on hotels to align prices across all channels. Despite these measures, the European Commission has launched a formal investigation under the Digital Services Act (DSA) to assess how the platform mitigates systemic risks to consumers. This inquiry focuses on fraudulent accommodation listings, identity theft, and phishing scams. Regulators are examining the platform’s ability to remove illegal content and the transparency of ‘boosted’ search results. The investigation also scrutinizes the security of the platform’s messaging system and the methods used to share reservation and guest data with providers to prevent misuse. The investigation follows reports that Booking.com experienced a 500 percent global increase in fraud cases. In the first half of 2026, the platform received 1,072 fraud reports, causing approximately 82,000 euros in damages—a tenfold increase compared to the previous year. Security researchers at Norton have identified approximately 350 compromised accommodations across 50 countries, with Germany reporting the highest number of cases at 49. These ‘reservation hijacking’ attacks involve criminals using legitimate booking data to send convincing messages to guests, requesting additional payments. In its first formal proceeding against the platform under the DSA, Commission officials have criticized Booking.com’s current efforts to combat scams as “absolutely substandard,” suggesting that internal risk assessments were insufficient. As a designated Very Large Online Platform (VLOP), Booking.com is subject to direct oversight by the Commission. ## Claims - In the first half of 2026, 1,072 fraud reports were received causing 82,000 euros in damage. (disputed by 9 sources) - In the Netherlands, over 1,000 fraud cases were reported in early 2026. (disputed) - The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into Booking.com. (corroborated by 51 sources) - The investigation includes a review of how paid search results are labeled as advertising. (corroborated by 48 sources) - The Commission is examining how reservation and guest data is shared with accommodation providers. (corroborated by 32 sources) - The investigation is being conducted under the EU Digital Services Act. (corroborated by 29 sources) - The investigation focuses on non-existent properties and identity impersonation fraud. (corroborated by 26 sources) - Booking.com could face fines of up to 6% of its annual global turnover for violations. (corroborated by 25 sources) - Booking.com reported a 500 percent global increase in fraud cases. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Booking.com is cooperating with the Commission. (corroborated by 11 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-25: European Commission investigates Booking.com under Digital Services Act The European Commission has launched its first Digital Services Act investigation into Booking.com regarding fraudulent listings, phishing scams, and undisclosed paid advertisements. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-commission-investigates-bookingcom-under-digital-services-act ### 2026-10-23: European Commission investigates Booking.com over fraud and phishing risks The European Commission is investigating Booking.com under the Digital Services Act regarding fraudulent listings, phishing scams, and advertising transparency. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-commission-investigates-bookingcom-over-fraud-and-phishing ### 2026-10-20: European Commission investigates Booking.com over fraud and phishing risks The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into Booking.com under the Digital Services Act, focusing on fraudulent listings, phishing risks, and advertising transparency. 129 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eu-commission-launches-investigation-into-bookingcom-over-fraud-risks ### 2026-09-28: Booking.com adopts transparency measures in the EEA Booking.com has adopted new transparency measures in the EEA, including removing price-parity labels and excluding external channel pricing from its Sponsored Benefit program eligibility. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bookingcom-updates-pricing-criteria-and-transparency-measures-in-the-eea --- Cite as: European Commission regulatory scrutiny of Booking.com. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/european-commission-regulatory-scrutiny-of-bookingcom