The Federal Government is set to significantly strengthen its fight against online fraud, scams, and deceptive trade practices, Consumer Affairs Minister Rob Beenders (Vooruit) announced.
Under a newly approved legislative framework, the Economy Ministry can directly request that search engines and social media platforms remove fraudulent advertisements within 24 to 48 hours. The inspectorate can flag specific email addresses or web pages for removal, and the platforms are then obliged to exclude these from their search and comparison listings.
This initiative targets various forms of digital fraud and deception, such as fake online shops, misleading social media advertisements, hidden subscription traps, pyramid schemes, and illegal products like counterfeit medications or hazardous goods.
The framework will put pressure on intermediaries to make it more difficult for fraudsters to reappear on other platforms. Search engines and comparison sites like Trivago and Expedia will need to respond promptly to reports of fraudulent content and may be required to block certain pages or domains.
“Today, the online environment is too often a haven for fraudsters. We are finally levelling the playing field, with better control and more enforcement power,” Beenders said. “Under the new rules, major search engines like Google will be unable to promote fraudulent websites, making the top search results more reliable.”
These measures are part of a broader campaign against digital scams. Beenders stressed that he will also focus on raising awareness and enhancing collaboration with European partners in the coming months.
“The online world doesn’t stop at borders, so our approach must be cross-border and future-oriented. However, this step already empowers our people in the field to better protect consumers,” he added.
