Fake 10 Downing Street listing on Booking.com highlights security failures
Summary
Researchers from consumer group Which? created a fake listing for 10 Downing Street on Booking.com, a popular travel booking site. The fake listing accepted payments and posted fake reviews before being taken down six weeks later, revealing security problems on the platform.Key Facts
- Which? researchers listed 10 Downing Street as a rental property on Booking.com on June 18.
- The listing included the exact address and a photo of the prime minister’s official residence.
- Users had to request stays, and a test payment for a week was accepted by Booking.com.
- A fake positive review mentioning "Larry the cat," Downing Street's pet, was added quickly.
- Booking.com’s system did not block suspicious messages asking for credit card details.
- The fake listing was removed only on August 27, about six weeks after it first appeared.
- Booking.com said the test was limited and not visible to the public, and that many fake listings are removed within 24 hours.
- Ofcom noted platforms must remove illegal user content when aware but said Booking.com is not yet covered by certain new rules.
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