EU Queries Apple, Google, Microsoft Over Financial Scams
3 minute readPublished: Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 11:48 am
EU Demands Answers from Tech Giants on Financial Scams
Brussels is intensifying its scrutiny of major tech companies, including Apple, Google, and Microsoft, regarding their efforts to combat financial scams online. The European Commission has issued a formal request for information under the Digital Services Act (DSA), a landmark EU law designed to regulate online platforms and address illegal content. The inquiry seeks to understand how these companies are preventing their services from being misused by scammers.
The DSA empowers the EU to investigate and potentially fine companies that fail to comply with its regulations. The current request focuses on the App Store, Google Play, Booking, and Microsoft's Bing search engine. The EU is concerned that these platforms could be exploited by fraudsters, for example, through fake apps mimicking legitimate banking providers or the dissemination of links to fraudulent websites.
This move is part of the EU's broader effort to protect European citizens online and enforce its stringent digital regulations. The EU has already launched multiple investigations under the DSA, including probes into Meta's Facebook and Instagram, as well as TikTok and X. The EU maintains that its rules are essential for ensuring online safety and that they do not constitute censorship, despite criticism from some quarters.
The EU's digital affairs spokesman emphasized the importance of this action in safeguarding users and ensuring that platforms fulfill their responsibilities. The EU has also defended its approach, pointing out that its investigations extend beyond American tech companies to include Chinese platforms like AliExpress.
The EU's digital chief has indicated that further investigations are likely in the coming months, underscoring the ongoing commitment to enforcing the DSA.
BNN's Perspective: The EU's actions reflect a necessary balancing act. While the EU's commitment to protecting consumers and maintaining a safe online environment is commendable, it must also be mindful of the potential for overreach and the importance of fostering innovation. The EU's approach should be carefully calibrated to avoid stifling legitimate businesses while effectively addressing the growing threat of online financial scams.
Keywords: EU, Apple, Google, Microsoft, financial scams, Digital Services Act, DSA, online platforms, illegal content, investigations, fines, App Store, Google Play, Booking, Bing, censorship, online safety, European Commission.