Overview
- The Commission formally launched the probe on October 21, 2026 to assess whether Booking.com met obligations in the Digital Services Act to spot and reduce systemic risks on its site.
- Investigators will examine specific risks from fake or non-compliant accommodation listings, identity‑theft schemes and phishing that may exploit the platform's booking data and messaging tools.
- EU sources cited a reported 500% global rise in fraud on Booking.com and Netherlands group Fraudehelpdesk logged 1,072 fraud reports in early 2026 with about €82,000 in losses.
- The inquiry will use information requests, interviews and possible on‑site inspections and could result in interim measures, a formal non‑compliance decision or accepted commitments from Booking.com under DSA rules.
- This is the second major DSA fraud case after the 2024 Meta probe and it raises immediate consumer risks for people booking travel while signalling tougher enforcement of platform safety, data‑sharing and ad‑transparency rules across the EU.