Booking.com now falls under same EU rules as Google, Apple

Booking.com now falls under the same strict European Union rules that apply to large internet companies like Google, Apple, and Amazon. According to the EU, the booking platform for accommodation has the same gatekeeper role as these internet giants, and that creates obligations.

The rules of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) already apply to search engines, social media, operating systems, and online marketplaces of the largest Internet companies. Their key role in access to many services makes them almost omnipotent. Users are sometimes forced to use them as competitors struggle to gain ground. The rules, therefore, prescribe that “gatekeepers” must also give rivals space on their platforms, among other things.

Booking “forms an important connection between companies and consumers,” said the European Commission, which oversees the DMA. Booking itself had already come to the conclusion that its platform deserves the title of gatekeeper. The company now has six months to comply with the rules.

Booking must “give end users more choice and freedom and business users fair access to gatekeeper services.” Some regulations, like informing the Commission if Booking is considering a merger or acquisition, take effect immediately. Violations of the DMA carry high fines.

The European Commission is also investigating whether X, formerly Twitter, should be considered a gatekeeper. X does not think so, but the Commission doesn’t yet accept that conclusion. It will provide a definitive answer within five months.

The Commission did agree with X and the Chinese TikTok that their advertising services, X Ads and TikTok Ads, fall outside the DMA. TikTok was previously classified as a gatekeeper but is fighting that classification. Parent company ByteDance has taken the matter to the European court.

Brussels defines a gatekeeper as a platform with at least 45 million monthly active users, a turnover of at least 7.5 billion euros, and a market value of over 75 billion euros. Those who do not qualify but have a “deep-rooted and sustainable position” on the market can also receive the label. The EU has designated seven companies as gatekeepers and regulated 24 of their services so far.