AN expat tech firm has gained support from Brussels for new measures to tackle online fraud.
A petition to the European Commission by AnyTech365 alongside other leading firms will hopefully now see continent-wide action against scammers via a new online code of conduct.
Mostly targeting the global tech giants, the new code would enforce them to better police their platforms.
Insisting that the European Commission was already tackling issues raised against Meta, X and Google, the Tech Sovereignty and Security department, based in Brussels, promised to go further.
READ MORE: Malaga’s biggest homegrown tech company calls for EU code of conduct to tackle online scams
In a letter seen by the Olive Press, Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen confirmed: “The commission is currently taking preparatory steps towards a possible Code of Conduct on online scams.”
She insisted it was vital as online financial scams were ‘increasing in scale, sophistication and impact’.
“Countering them is one of the Commission’s enforcement priorities under the Digital Services Act (DSA),” she wrote.
She went on to list how the EC had been battling the tech giants – including Booking.com and AliExpress – since 2024.
This included opening formal proceedings against Meta (Facebook and Instagram) regarding infringements linked to the misuse of its advertising services, including the dissemination of financial scam advertisements.
At the end of 2025, the Commission also sent requests to Apple, Booking.com, Bing and Google, focused on how they identify and mitigate risks related to online scams.
“The Commission is currently assessing the information obtained through these actions,” she promised.
READ MORE: One in four Spaniards either lose money or give up personal data to growing scam wave
In December 2025, the Commission also issued a non-compliance decision and a €120 million fine to X – owned by Elon Musk – for breaches of its transparency obligations under the DSA, including in relation to the lack of transparency in its advertising.
Shockingly, the platform even allowed users/advertisers to pay for ‘verified user’ status.
“This decision was directly relevant to fighting online scams and fraud,” she insisted.
She continued that the upcoming action plan against digital fraud will aim to improve cooperation between public authorities and private entities.
Virkkunen concluded: “The Commission is also currently taking preparatory steps towards a possible Code of Conduct on online scams, mapping the interest of relevant stakeholders and reflecting on how to best facilitate such an initiative.”
Management at Malaga-based AnyTech365, that also has offices in Morocco and Bulgaria, described the moves as ‘promising’.
“Online fraud has become a global industry, yet the platforms enabling scammers to reach millions of potential victims are still not doing enough to stop them,” said Morten Wagner, CEO of AnyTech365.
His firm joined with 21 anti-fraud firms to demand rapid action earlier this year.
“The European Commission’s response is a welcome step forward, but the real measure of success will be action, not promises. We need clear rules, genuine accountability and stronger cooperation between regulators and the cybersecurity industry. Protecting consumers must come before platform profits.”
Click here to read more Spain News from The Olive Press.
