EU demands answers from Apple, Google, Microsoft and Booking.com on scam risks
Regulators want details on how leading platforms detect fraudulent apps, fake listings and scam ads, with stricter checks required under the Digital Services Act.
The European Commission has asked Apple, Booking.com, Google and Microsoft how they tackle financial scams under the Digital Services Act. The inquiry covers major platforms and search engines, including Apple App Store, Google Play, Booking.com, Bing and Google Search.
Officials want to know how these companies detect fraudulent content and what safeguards they use to prevent scams. For app stores, the focus is on fake financial applications imitating legitimate banking or trading services.
For Booking.com, attention is paid to fraudulent accommodation listings, while Bing and Google Search face scrutiny over links and ads, leading to scam websites.
The Commission asked platforms how they verify business identities under ‘Know Your Business Customer’ rules to prevent harm from suspicious actors. Companies must also share details of their ad repositories, enabling regulators and researchers to spot fraudulent ads and patterns.
By taking these steps, the Commission aims to ensure that actions under the DSA complement broader consumer protection measures already in force across the European Union.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!