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Brussels Questions Big Tech Over Rising Digital Fraud Risks

By  |  September 24, 2025

European Union regulators have asked Apple, Google and Microsoft to detail the safeguards they employ to stop their platforms from being used for financial scams, highlighting growing concern across Europe about the scale of digital fraud. According to Reuters, the move comes as part of the bloc’s tougher oversight of U.S. tech giants under the Digital Services Act (DSA), a law that compels major platforms to better police harmful and illegal content.

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    EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen said in a post on X that formal requests for information were sent on Wednesday to Apple, Booking.com, Google and Microsoft. She emphasized that the inquiry focuses on how these companies identify and handle risks related to fraudulent schemes. Per Reuters, Virkkunen stressed that fraud often begins with little effort online but can quickly lead to significant financial losses for ordinary users.

    Related: Big Tech in the Crosshairs: Antitrust Cases Sweep Across US Courts

    The EU estimates that scams ranging from fake hotel listings and counterfeit banking applications to manipulated videos featuring public figures endorsing false investments cost European citizens over 4 billion euros ($4.7 billion) each year. According to Reuters, officials worry that the spread of artificial intelligence tools could make deceptive practices such as phishing or fraudulent investment pitches even more difficult for consumers to detect.

    The requests signal Brussels’ determination to test how seriously technology firms are taking their responsibilities under the DSA.

    Source: Reuters