**EU Investigates How Apple, Google, and Others Are Tackling Online Scams**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Sep 23, 2025*
The European Union (EU) has launched a detailed scrutiny of major tech companies including Apple, Google, and Microsoft over their efforts to combat online scams. According to the Financial Times, this investigation is being conducted under the framework of the Digital Services Act (DSA). Alongside these tech giants, Booking Holdings — the global accommodation platform owner of Booking.com and other travel sites — is also under the EU’s regulatory spotlight.
**Regulatory Concerns and EU’s Commitment to Safer Online Spaces**
Henna Virkkunen, an EU official, highlighted the rising tide of criminal activities occurring on internet platforms. She stated, “We see that more and more criminal actions are taking place online.” Virkkunen emphasized the critical need for online platforms to proactively identify and prevent illegal content, underscoring the EU’s dedication to making cyberspace safer for all users.
**Focus Areas of the Scrutiny**
The EU’s investigation will specifically examine how Apple and Google address the issue of fraudulent apps, such as fake banking applications, available in their app stores. Moreover, Google’s and Microsoft’s search engines will be evaluated for their role in displaying fake or misleading search results. Booking Holdings will be assessed for how it manages bogus accommodation listings on its platforms.
This multifaceted approach reflects the EU’s broader goal of fighting online scams across various digital services, ensuring comprehensive protection for consumers.
**Potential Financial Consequences**
The information requests initiated by the EU could escalate into formal investigations. Should any wrongdoing be established, Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Booking Holdings may face substantial penalties — potentially fines up to 6% of their annual global turnover.
The ongoing EU inquiry highlights increasing regulatory pressure on major tech and platform companies to uphold safety and trust online. Users and industry watchers alike will be keenly observing how these companies respond to the demands for stronger anti-fraud measures in the digital ecosystem.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/eu-probes-apple-google-microsoft-over-online-scams/story
