EU Launches Sweeping Investigation into Apple, Google, and Microsoft Over Online Scam Handling
The European Union has initiated formal investigations into tech giants Apple, Google, and Microsoft, scrutinizing their efforts to combat a growing wave of online scams. This significant regulatory move, announced on September 23, 2025, centers on how these platforms manage deceptive practices, particularly concerning fake applications and misleading search results that ensnare unsuspecting consumers. The probe, operating under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), marks a critical escalation in the bloc's efforts to hold major online intermediaries accountable for the proliferation of fraudulent content and systemic risks within their digital ecosystems.
This investigation comes at a time when online fraud has become an increasingly sophisticated and pervasive global threat. With billions of users worldwide relying on these platforms for daily digital interactions, the EU's action underscores a growing demand for greater transparency and robust protective measures. The European Commission's requests for information are targeted, seeking detailed insights into the companies' detection, removal, and prevention strategies for various forms of online deception.
Deep Dive into the EU's Scrutiny: Fake Apps and Search Result Integrity
The core of the EU's investigation revolves around the effectiveness of the platforms in identifying and neutralizing scams that exploit their vast user bases. Formal requests for information have been dispatched not only to Apple, Google's parent company Alphabet, and Microsoft, but also to Booking Holdings, signaling a broad concern across different digital service sectors. The DSA, a landmark piece of legislation enacted in 2022, provides the regulatory framework for these inquiries, aiming to ensure that online platforms actively address illegal content and mitigate broader systemic risks.
The App Store Minefield: Fake Applications Under the Microscope
A primary focus of the probe is the prevalence of fake applications within the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. These malicious apps, often disguised as legitimate financial tools, investment platforms, or customer support services, are designed to trick users into divulging sensitive banking information or making fraudulent payments. According to a Commission spokesperson, the investigation will delve into "how these platforms detect, remove, and prevent the proliferation of such deceptive listings." Recent data from cybersecurity firm Kaspersky paints a stark picture, indicating a 25% surge in app-based scams across the EU in the first half of 2025, with over 1.2 million fraudulent apps identified globally. It's frankly astonishing that despite all the security measures, these things still slip through.
Search Engine Shenanigans: Algorithms and Scam Amplification
Beyond app stores, Google's dominant search engine and Microsoft's Bing are facing intense scrutiny over their search result algorithms. Regulators are concerned that these algorithms might inadvertently, or perhaps intentionally, prioritize fraudulent links—such as phishing sites mimicking well-known banks or e-commerce platforms—over legitimate and safe alternatives. Reports from the Financial Times suggest that the EU is particularly worried about search results that actively facilitate financial fraud. Preliminary EU studies indicate that a concerning percentage, potentially up to 15% of top search results for financial queries in 2025, could be leading users directly to scam pages. This raises fundamental questions about the responsibility of search providers in curating the information landscape.
Platform Responsibilities and Previous Regulatory Encounters
While Apple and Google are heavily scrutinized for their app stores and search engines respectively, Microsoft's investigation also encompasses its broader digital ecosystem, including the Edge browser and Windows app environment. The inclusion of Booking.com highlights concerns about travel-related scams, where fake booking websites defraud consumers.
It's worth noting that this isn't the EU's first foray into regulating these tech giants. Earlier in 2025, Apple was fined €500 million for violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by limiting app alternatives outside its own store. Meta also faced a substantial €200 million penalty for its advertising model. Today's investigation, however, shifts the focus from competition concerns to the critical area of consumer protection and the fight against financial crime.
Industry Responses and the Weight of Potential Penalties
As of the announcement, none of the targeted companies have issued detailed public statements. However, sources indicate that Apple, Google, and Microsoft are cooperating with the Commission's information requests, which are expected to be fulfilled within weeks. These requests demand comprehensive data on their scam detection systems, the efficacy of their removal processes, and the mechanisms available for users to report fraudulent activity.
These tech giants have previously highlighted their existing anti-fraud measures. Google, for instance, stated in a July 2025 blog post that it removes over 2 million harmful apps annually from the Play Store and blocks billions of scam-related search queries. Apple has pointed to its rigorous App Review process, which reportedly rejected 1.7 million apps in 2024 alone. Microsoft, in turn, has emphasized its collaborations with law enforcement agencies.
However, the EU's Digital Services Act carries significant teeth. Non-compliance with information requests or findings of violations could result in fines of up to 6% of a company's global annual revenue, a figure that could amount to billions for these trillion-dollar corporations. A failure to respond to information requests alone could incur a 1% penalty.
Expert Opinions and Consumer Frustration
The EU's move has been met with a mix of reactions. Cybersecurity experts largely commend the proactive stance. Eva Galperin, director of cybersecurity at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), stated that this action is "overdue," suggesting that "Big Tech has the tools to stop these scams at the source, but profit motives often lag behind user safety."
On social media, user frustration is palpable. Many have shared personal anecdotes of financial losses due to fake apps and deceptive online advertisements. While some praise Apple's stringent app review, others question why search engines continue to surface dubious ads. The debate around platform responsibility in the face of evolving scam tactics is clearly heating up.
The Road Ahead: A New Era of Tech Accountability?
This investigation represents a significant moment in the EU's ongoing efforts to regulate the digital sphere. The DSA provides a powerful tool for holding platforms accountable, and the potential penalties are substantial enough to compel serious action. It's likely that the Commission will move towards formal proceedings by early 2026, potentially mandating AI audits for scam detection and other stringent remedies.
For consumers, the hope is that this intensified scrutiny will lead to safer online experiences, with fewer encounters with fraudulent apps and misleading search results. The outcome of these investigations could set a precedent, not just for Europe, but for how global tech platforms are expected to manage the risks inherent in their vast digital empires. It’s a complex challenge, but one that’s long overdue for a serious reckoning.
