**EU Investigates How Apple, Google, and Others Are Tackling E-Scams**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | September 23, 2025*
The European Union (EU) is intensifying scrutiny of major tech companies, including Apple, Google, and Microsoft, to understand how they are addressing the growing problem of online scams. According to the Financial Times, this investigation is being carried out under the framework of the EU’s Digital Services Act.
### Regulatory Focus: Combating Online Scams
The EU’s examination also extends to Booking Holdings, the global accommodation platform that owns Booking.com alongside other travel websites. This move highlights the EU’s comprehensive approach to tackling fraudulent activities across various digital services.
Henna Virkkunen, an EU official, emphasized the urgency of the matter by pointing out the rising criminal activities on the internet. She stated, “We see that more and more criminal actions are taking place online.” Virkkunen underscored the need for online platforms to take all necessary measures to detect and prevent illegal content, reflecting the EU’s commitment to a safer online environment for all users.
### Areas of Scrutiny
The EU’s assessment will focus on multiple fronts:
– **Fraudulent Apps:** Apple’s and Google’s app stores will be analyzed for handling fake apps, particularly bogus banking applications designed to deceive users.
– **Search Engines:** Google’s and Microsoft’s search engines will be reviewed to determine if they are inadvertently serving fake or misleading search results.
– **Accommodation Listings:** Booking Holdings will be evaluated based on how it manages and vets accommodation listings to prevent scams.
This multifaceted approach demonstrates the EU’s resolve to address online scams wherever they manifest.
### Possible Consequences
The EU’s ongoing information gathering could evolve into formal investigations if any misconduct is uncovered. Should the tech giants and Booking Holdings be found in violation of regulations, they could face significant penalties—potentially fines amounting to up to 6% of their annual global turnover.
—
The EU’s latest actions underscore growing regulatory pressure on technology companies to enhance their efforts against online fraud, aiming to create a safer and more trustworthy digital landscape for all users.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/eu-probes-apple-google-microsoft-over-online-scams/story