EU Queries Apple, Google & Microsoft on Role in Financial Scams

Nairobi, Kenya — September 25, 2025

The European Union has formally asked Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Booking.com to detail how they detect and prevent financial scams on their platforms, under the obligations of the Digital Services Act (DSA). 

The Latest

• The EU’s tech chief, Henna Virkkunen, confirmed that requests for information were sent to the platforms asking how they identify and manage risks related to fraudulent content such as fake banking apps, bogus investment schemes, and deceptive listings. 

• Regulators are scrutinising, among other things:

    • how app stores (Apple App Store, Google Play) police fake financial or banking apps 

    • how search engines (Google, Microsoft/Bing) manage misleading links and adverts directing users to scams 

    • how platforms verify identities of vendors/businesses (Know Your Business Customer, KYBC) to block fraudulent entities from onboarding 

• The EU cites that online financial fraud costs consumers more than €4 billion annually in the bloc. 

• This move is part of the EU’s broader push to enforce the DSA, which requires “very large online platforms and search engines” to mitigate systemic risks, including to consumer protection. 

Why It Matters

• Greater accountability for Big Tech: The EU is pushing platforms to shift from passive hosting to proactive policing of fraudulent content.

• Consumer protection priority: As scams using AI, deepfake endorsements, or fake apps proliferate, regulators want to ensure platforms are not safe havens for scammers.

• Precedent for other jurisdictions: The EU’s pressure may encourage regulators in Kenya or Africa to demand similar accountability from global tech firms operating in their markets.

• Potential penalties: Under the DSA, platforms could face penalties (e.g., fines based on global turnover) for failure to comply with obligations.