European Commission investigates Booking platform

The European Commission has initiated a formal investigation into Booking.com for potential violations of the Digital Services Act regarding fraudulent advertisements and phishing schemes. The inquiry will assess whether the platform adequately mitigated risks associated with fake listings and identity theft. Additionally, it will examine if Booking.com transparently identifies paid advertisements that receive higher visibility in search results. If confirmed, these issues could lead to violations of the Act's provisions on risk assessment and advertising transparency. The Commission may gather evidence, request information, and conduct inspections, potentially leading to interim measures or compliance decisions. Booking.com, classified as a very large online platform, is subject to enhanced obligations under the Digital Services Act, with cooperation from Dutch authorities.