BRUSSELS (Enmaeya News) — September 24, 2025

The European Commission has sent an information request under the Digital Services Act to major tech companies, including Microsoft, Apple, and Booking.com, to examine “how they ensure that their services are not exploited by fraudsters,” a European Union spokesperson said Wednesday.

The landmark EU law requires tech giants to take stronger measures against illegal content, though it has faced threats of retaliation from U.S. President Donald Trump and criticism from the U.S. tech sector.

The request, issued Tuesday, could eventually trigger an investigation under the law and even fines, but it does not, by itself, indicate a violation or represent a step toward sanctions, according to Agence France-Presse.

Thomas Renier, the EU’s digital affairs spokesperson, told reporters in Brussels: “This is also a key step to protect users across the EU from some of these practices, and to ensure that platforms in the EU also fulfill their role.”

The inquiry covers Apple’s App Store, Google Play, Booking.com, and Microsoft’s Bing search engine. EU officials are concerned that fraudsters may create fake apps impersonating legitimate banking services or post links to fraudulent websites on search engines.

The EU’s strengthened legal framework, through the Digital Services Act and the companion Digital Markets Act, seeks to ensure fair online competition. Brussels has already launched multiple investigations under the Digital Services Act targeting Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram, as well as TikTok and X.

Trump has criticized EU rules, which he argues unfairly target U.S. tech companies, and previously imposed higher tariffs on U.S. trading partners in response. The U.S. State Department and figures including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and X owner Elon Musk have described the regulations as a form of censorship.

The EU rejects such claims, stressing that anything illegal in the real world is equally illegal online.