Booking.com under investigation by EU regulators over fake listings and scams

The European Commission has started a formal investigation into Booking.com on October 21, focusing on alleged fraud and phishing activities. The probe could impact the company's operations and reputation in the EU market.

The EU is investigating Booking.com under the Digital Services Act (DSA) for potential failures in preventing fraudulent listings and phishing scams, as well as transparency issues in advertising. The probe will assess risks related to illegal content, data sharing, and advertising practices. Booking.com will cooperate with the investigation, which could lead to enforcement actions or commitments from the company.

The EU Commission has opened a formal investigation into Booking.com for potential breaches of the Digital Services Act, focusing on fraudulent listings, phishing scams, and ad transparency. The probe will assess whether the platform adequately identified and mitigated risks related to illegal content, data misuse, and advertising transparency. Booking.com could face enforcement actions if found in violation. The company was designated as a Very Large Online Platform under the DSA in 2023.

The European Commission is investigating Booking.com over fraud cases, including fake listings and identity fraud. The company reported a 500% increase in fraud cases, with 1,072 incidents in the first half of 2026, causing 82,000 euros in losses. The investigation also focuses on phishing attempts on the platform.

The EU launched a formal investigation into Booking.com on October 21, 2026, over potential breaches of the Digital Services Act. The probe focuses on the platform's handling of fraudulent listings, phishing attacks, and ad transparency. Booking.com could face fines up to 6% of its global turnover if violations are found. The company is cooperating and prioritizes user security and data protection. The investigation follows a rise in fraud attempts on the platform.

The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into Booking.com to determine if the platform violated the EU's Digital Services Act by not sufficiently addressing fraudulent listings, phishing scams, and advertising transparency issues. The probe will assess Booking.com's measures to prevent fake accommodation listings, phishing attacks, and data misuse. The commission may impose interim measures or require commitments from Booking.com to address these concerns.