Consumer associations in Europe are filing a class action lawsuit against Booking.com. According to consumer associations, the popular booking site has kept hotel prices artificially high for years, causing millions of people to overpay.

The consumer associations accuse Booking.com of abusing its power, misleading customers and restricting fair competition. The Dutch consumers' association Consumentenbond estimates that the total damage claim will reach hundreds of millions of euros.

According to Sandra Molenaar of Consumentenbond, Booking.com actively misled its customers. Molenaar: "The platform uses fake discounts, missing prices and low sales rates. Booking.com influences the choices consumers make with such dark patterns. And this is not allowed under Dutch and European regulations."