EU cracks down on Apple, Google, and Microsoft over €4 billion in online fraud losses

Europe is turning up the heat on Big Tech. This week, EU regulators launched a fresh push to tackle online financial scams that have cost people across the bloc more than €4 billion a year. Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Booking are in the spotlight as the European Commission checks whether these platforms are doing enough to stop fake apps, bogus listings, and scammy search results.

European Union Flag. | Photo by Christian Lue on Unsplash

What’s happening

The EU has sent formal requests for information under the Digital Services Act (DSA), a rulebook that forces very large platforms to police harmful content and systemic risks—fraud included. If companies fall short, Brussels can open full investigations and impose fines of up to 6% of global revenue. That threat is big money for firms of this size.

Why these firms? Regulators want answers on:

App stores: Are Apple’s App Store and Google Play catching fake banking apps before they reach users?
Search engines: Do Google and Microsoft’s Bing keep scam results and paid ads from tricking people?
Travel platforms: Is Booking doing enough to block fraudulent accommodation listings?

The timing reflects the EU’s broader enforcement pivot: online fraud has surged, and the Commission says the losses now exceed €4 billion annually—a figure that sharpened political focus on consumer protection.

Main takeaways for users and the industry

1) The EU is moving from warnings to action. These information demands are the first step. If the answers fall short, formal probes and penalties could follow. That prospect alone often pushes platforms to tighten their defenses fast.

2) Fraud-fighting is now a core compliance test. The DSA isn’t only about illegal content—it’s about systemic risks. For tech giants, that means investing more in app screening, ad vetting, and takedown speed.

3) Users should see practical changes. Expect clearer warnings, stronger identity checks for advertisers and developers, and quicker removal of fakes—from “too-good-to-be-true” listings to copycat banking apps.

What the companies are saying

Early reactions vary. Microsoft and Booking signaled cooperation, while Apple pushed back on the framing, pointing to its existing safety measures. Google, which faces questions on both search and Android app distribution, will be expected to show evidence of tougher filters and advertiser verification. The Commission’s line is simple: platforms must “proactively” detect and stop scams.

What this could mean for you

Could this crackdown help people avoid scams? That’s the goal. The DSA gives the EU leverage to demand proof—not just promises—that platforms are cutting fraud. If enforcement goes through, you could notice:

Fewer fake apps slipping through app-store reviews.
Cleaner search results and ads, with clearer labels and less room for impostors.
Stronger verification for hosts and merchants on big marketplaces.

Online crime evolves fast—especially with AI making scams look more convincing. That’s why regulators are focusing on processes (like audit trails and rapid response) rather than one-off fixes.

How the enforcement could play out

From here, expect a paper trail. The Commission will scrutinize how these companies screen developers, verify advertisers, label results, and respond to takedown requests. If gaps are identified, the EU can open cases and, if necessary, impose fines on violators. For context, the DSA’s penalty ceiling—up to 6% of global turnover—is designed to get board-level attention.

There’s also a reputational angle. Firms that move quickly with visible protections—think stricter paid-ad onboarding, stronger app notarization, and faster fraud reporting for users—stand to rebuild trust. Those who drag their feet may face both legal risk and user backlash.

The bottom line

The EU is testing whether the world’s biggest platforms can truly protect people from financial scams, not just talk about it. With billions at stake for users and companies alike, the next few weeks will show whose systems hold up under scrutiny. And if they don’t? The DSA gives Brussels the tools to make the pain felt.