The investigation examines safeguards against fake hotel or accommodation listings that could mislead people booking trips. The reported concerns also include identity fraud, phishing scams and the possible exploitation of users’ data by scammers.
The Commission is also examining advertising transparency on Booking.com. In particular, it is assessing whether listings whose providers paid for a higher position in search results were clearly labelled as advertisements.
Booking.com said, according to Euronews, that it was cooperating fully with the investigation. The company also said that security, trust and the protection of personal information were priorities, and that it remained committed to working with governments, regulators, law-enforcement agencies and industry partners to combat cybercrime and online fraud.
Euronews characterizes the probe as the first investigation into Booking.com under the Digital Services Act. The report says the company can propose measures to address the European Commission’s concerns, while there is no fixed legal deadline for the investigation to conclude.
Euronews reports that Booking.com could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual turnover under the Digital Services Act if violations are confirmed. The available evidence does not establish whether any violation will be confirmed, whether a penalty will be imposed or when the investigation will end.