The European Union demanded Tuesday that Apple, Google, Microsoft and Booking explain their anti-scam measures. According to TechXplore, the European Commission sent formal requests under the Digital Services Act.

EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said criminal activity is moving online. The regulator wants platforms to explain how they prevent service misuse by scammers. Brussels specifically targets fake banking apps, fraudulent search results, and deceptive accommodation listings.

The investigation could lead to formal proceedings and fines up to 6% of global revenue. However, these information requests do not suggest current law violations.

Why This Investigation Matters

Online financial fraud costs the EU over €4 billion annually. Engadget reports that AI technology makes scam detection increasingly difficult.

App stores face scrutiny for hosting fake banking applications. Search engines must explain how they prevent fraudulent website links. Booking Holdings reported reducing fake reservations from 1.5 million to 250,000 between 2023 and 2024.

Google claims to block hundreds of millions of suspicious search results daily. The investigation addresses growing consumer vulnerability to sophisticated digital fraud schemes.

Industry Response and Broader Implications

Financial fraud is accelerating across digital platforms globally. Veriff found fraudulent activity within financial services increased 21% between 2024 and 2025.

Traditional banks report 3.5 times more document forgery incidents than global averages. Cryptocurrency and real-time payment networks face fraud rates almost double normal levels. The DSA represents Europe's most comprehensive tech regulation framework.

Brussels has already launched multiple investigations into Meta, TikTok and X platforms. The EU rejects US claims that its digital rules constitute censorship. Enforcement actions may create precedent for global tech regulation standards.

Further Reading

For deeper insights into global adoption trends, our Alternative Financial Systems Index tracks regulatory frameworks and adoption metrics across 50 countries. The index provides comprehensive data on how different jurisdictions approach digital financial system oversight.