Tech Firms Requested EU Action Plan on Online Fraud
A coalition of 22 companies aims to establish an EU-wide code of conduct to combat the rise in AI-driven scam tactics.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Cybersecurity
Live Poll
Should online platforms be required to adopt a stricter code of conduct to prevent fraud?
AnyTech365 and 21 other firms have formally requested that the European Commission implement a new code of conduct regarding online fraud under the Digital Services Act. This proposal seeks to address the surge in sophisticated scams leveraging AI-generated content and voice cloning.
Why it matters
The request highlights a perceived lack of EU-led investigations into organized fraud, which currently exploits speed and automated tools to target victims. The coalition argues that current regulatory oversight has not kept pace with these evolving digital threats.
Fraudulent activities resulted in a total financial loss of €6.65 billion in Spain, with victims losing an average of €1,811 per incident. Despite these figures, only 4% of victims reported the events to authorities, while 46% of those targeted have been victimized more than once.
The players
AnyTech365
A Malaga-based technology services firm that provides remote support and cybersecurity assistance.
Henna Virkkunen
An EU technology chief responsible for evaluating industry proposals regarding the Digital Services Act.
Magnus Brunner
An EU internal affairs official tasked with reviewing the coalition's request for anti-fraud measures.
The details
Criminal groups are increasingly utilizing AI-generated content, voice cloning, and fraudulent text messages to impersonate legitimate entities. These automated techniques allow attackers to scale their efforts and deceive individuals with high efficiency. The proposed code of conduct aims to establish formal safeguards to disrupt these operational workflows under the Digital Services Act, a set of EU regulations designed to govern online platforms.
Timeline
Summer 2026: Reports emerged detailing a sharp rise in online scam tactics.
September 2026: A group of 22 companies called for the implementation of an EU code of conduct.
The Tech Race
The proposal marks an effort to expand the scope of the Digital Services Act to include proactive fraud prevention alongside existing content moderation mandates. This initiative positions the coalition against the current status quo, where AI-enabled threats are outpacing established regulatory oversight.
While the proposal is still in the lobbying stage, it aims to protect users from the 58% of victims who report negative mental health effects after being scammed. If implemented, the code could change how platforms are required to verify identities and block AI-generated fraudulent content.
The takeaway
The request underscores the growing necessity for standardized digital fraud defenses as automated threats become more frequent. Observers should monitor whether EU officials move to integrate these specific anti-fraud requirements into the upcoming policy agenda.
What happens next
The coalition is currently awaiting a formal response from European technology chief Henna Virkkunen and internal affairs official Magnus Brunner regarding the integration of their proposal into a future EU action plan.
Further reading
For broader context on digital threats, see our coverage in Cybersecurity.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Olive Press News Spain.
Live Poll
Should online platforms be required to adopt a stricter code of conduct to prevent fraud?
