The European Commission has announced the start of a formal investigation into Booking.com's activities for potential violation of the Digital Services Act (DSA). According to a press release published in Brussels, the regulator intends to determine whether the platform provided adequate assessment and effective risk mitigation related to fraudulent listings and phishing schemes on the service. The DSA requires large online platforms, including Booking.com, to regularly assess systemic risks arising from the use of their services, including risks related to user fraud. Platforms must also take reasonable and proportionate measures to minimize such threats. According to the European Commission, Booking.com may have failed to fulfill these obligations properly, potentially creating conditions for the spread of fictitious accommodation listings and phishing attempts targeting service users. The opening of formal proceedings allows the Commission to conduct further investigative actions, including document requests, interviews, and inspections. The investigation is part of the broader efforts of the European Union to ensure compliance with the DSA—a law that entered into force to increase transparency and safety of digital platforms for European consumers. If violations are confirmed, Booking.com could face fines that could amount to a significant share of the company's global annual turnover. The Commission has not yet set specific deadlines for completion of the review, noting that the opening of formal proceedings does not prejudge the final decision in the case.