About: Airbnb
Airbnb bows to EU demands on room fees
Airbnb has bowed to EU pressure and will avoid potentially multi-million euro fines after making changes to the way it advertises the fees for its popular room-booking service.
Brussels city warned over ‘disproportionate’ rules for Airbnb
The city of Brussels could be taken to court over its strict home sharing rules after the European Commission on Thursday (24 January) said such rules are disproportionate, in a move hailed by US home-renting company Airbnb.
Facebook gave data on user’s friends to certain companies – documents
Facebook Inc offered some companies, including Netflix and Airbnb, access to data about users’ friends it did not make available to most other apps in 2015, according to documents released by a British lawmaker who said the social media company dodged questions about privacy practices and market dominance.
‘Channel of dirt’: Jourová describes her Facebook experience
Facebook came in for heavy criticism on Thursday (20 September), as EU justice chief Věra Jourová shone a light on her own Facebook experience as well as the issue of the tech giant's non-compliance with EU consumer rules.
The sharing economy: Cure or curse?
From mobility services to recycling applications, the sharing economy holds many promises. Whether to regulate it at European level remains a disputed question, however.
Commission says Airbnb breaches EU consumer rules, must fall into line
The European Union told Airbnb yesterday (16 July) to bring its terms and conditions into line with the bloc's consumer rules or face action by national consumer agencies, after a review of the short-term rental platform found some violations.
Macron digital tax plan faces EU rebuff
French President Emmanuel Macron's ambitious plans for an EU digital tax targeting US tech giants such as Google or Facebook faced strong headwinds on Saturday (28 April), provoking anger from Paris.
France says to target Airbnb ‘unacceptable’ tax regime
France said on Wednesday (9 August) it would team up with Germany to address an "unacceptable" tax situation for homesharing website Airbnb and other digital platforms like Google and Amazon.
EU court’s opinion challenges Commission’s pro-Uber stance
An opinion issued today (11 May) by the EU Court of Justice's advocate general said that Uber cannot benefit from lax rules under the service directive, seen by the European Commission as the legal basis for the collaborative economy.
Airbnb awaits Berlin ruling on legality of home-sharing
A Berlin court is due to make a landmark ruling with ramifications for home rental firms such as Airbnb on Wednesday (8 June) when it decides if homeowners can engage in short-term lets.
‘Sharing economy’ turns to insurers for risk protection
The success of sharing economy firms offers new opportunities to insurers who see Uber drivers and Airbnb flat owners as a potential source of revenue. But setting up a safe environment for digital platforms, contractors, and users remains a challenge.
EU cautions governments against banning Uber, Airbnb
Services such as ride-hailing app Uber and home-rental site Airbnb should only be banned as a last resort, the European Commission said on Thursday (2 June), as it seeks to foster development of the "sharing economy".
EU makes progress on uniform sharing economy policy
The European Commission will ask member states to review and amend legislation, when necessary, to end the fragmentation faced by Uber, Airbnb and other collaborative platforms in Europe, EURACTIV.com has learned.
Commission to publish guidelines on sharing economy next week
The European Commission's highly anticipated views on the sharing economy are expected to pave the way towards a solution to outstanding complaints put forward against the likes of Uber and Airbnb in a number of EU countries.
Spanish regulator urges scrapping of ‘unjustified’ restrictions on sharing economy
Uber, Airbnb and BlaBlaCar could score an important victory soon as the Spanish regulator is set to recommend lifting all the “unjustified barriers” limiting the sharing economy in the country, which is seen as the most restrictive member state for this new business model.
Brussels to issue sharing economy ‘guidelines’ in March
The European Commission will issue guidelines to member states in early March on how to regulate emerging companies like Uber and Airbnb, which have shaken up the taxi and hotel sector.
MEPs unite behind ‘pro-Uber’ report
Members of the European Parliament backed Uber-type companies in the heated debate about the sharing economy, calling on regulators to encourage their development in Europe.
Spanish competition regulator pushes for sharing economy – despite court cases
The National Authority for Markets and Competition in Madrid is set to publish a groundbreaking report calling for eliminating unjustified barriers against services such as Uber and Airbnb, EURACTIV has learned.
‘Uberisation’ of economies pinching state tax revenues
With "sharing economy" services like Uber, Blablacar and Airbnb spreading among consumers, state tax collectors risk experiencing a revenue pinch as these new collaborative players capture market share from traditional businesses.