EU asks Apple, Google, Microsoft and Booking.com about fraud measures

Brussels (dpa) – The European Commission has asked tech giants Apple, Google and Microsoft as well as travel platform Booking.com to explain how they combat financial fraud on their platforms.

A Commission spokesman said on Tuesday that the action was an “essential step” to protect users across the European Union.

A formal request for information was made under the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which imposes strict obligations on large online platforms. Its main purpose is to prevent illegal and harmful activities online and to create a safer and fairer online environment for users.

The four companies must outline how they prevent users from suffering financial losses through fake offers and other scams. 

For Apple and Google, the focus is likely to be on their App Store and Google Play marketplaces. Microsoft operates a sales platform through its Bing web search engine. 

Travel company Booking.com, based in the Netherlands, is the only non-US company targeted.

The Commission did not specify a deadline for the responses, but such requests typically allow for a few weeks. Officials said they will decide on next steps after reviewing the replies. Companies that provide false, incomplete or misleading information — or refuse to answer — face fines. The Commission could subsequently open formal proceedings against the firms, at which point it would disclose more details about its concerns.

The DSA, designed to tighten oversight of major digital platforms, requires them to remove illegal content more quickly and make it easier for users to report it. Large platforms must also verify and track the identity of sellers, collecting documentation so information can be passed to affected users in the event of fraud.

The law has sometimes strained trans-Atlantic relations: US President Donald Trump’s administration has said it unfairly targets US tech giants and is anti-competitive. (23 September)