After rallying hosts to fight a New York state law that fines them for posting technically illegal listings on ?? ??? ??Airbnb, the company has abandoned the cause.
Airbnb settled a lawsuit against New York on Friday on the condition that fines for violating the state's apartment rental rules would only be leveled against hosts and not the company. The law was always written in a way that implied its fines of up to $7,500 would apply to hosts, but now Airbnb has that distinction in writing.
"We very much see this as a material step forward for our hosts, with Airbnb and the city agreeing to 'work cooperatively on ways to address New York City's permanent housing shortage, including through host compliance with Airbnb's One Host, One Home policy,'" Airbnb said in a statement. "We look forward to using this as a basis to finding an approach that protects responsible New Yorkers while cracking down on illegal hotels that remove permanent housing off the market or create unsafe spaces."
"Our hosts are our top priority, always," the company added. "The lawsuit was a way to fight a bad law that does not distinguish between responsible hosts and truly bad actors. By settling we are opening the door to cooperation with the City."
The company maintains that the lawsuit is only one way it was fighting New York's restrictive regulations.
SEE ALSO: Airbnb relents, will limit how long people can rent out properties in two major citiesThe lawsuit challenged a bill passed this summer that made it illegal to advertise or post on Airbnb any listings for rentals of whole apartments in shared buildings for fewer than 30 days. Rentals in that category have technically been illegal since 2010, although they're exceedingly common on Airbnb.
The 2010 law was passed before Airbnb really gained a foothold in New York. But that hasn't stopped Airbnb's opponents from using it against the short-term rental company.
Airbnb claimed in its lawsuit that the law by governing advertising, or a form of speech violated the First Amendment and the Federal Communications Decency Act.
The company, valued at $30 billion, held New York events to get its hosts to lobby against the bill before it was signed into law. Even pro-Airbnb hosts at those events suspected that the company might not stand behind them to the end.
"Airbnb is doing this," one host said at a September gathering, "but they're not going to pay these fines for us."
It's still unclear exactly how the law will be enforced. Although opponents of Airbnb are focused on New York City, the law applies to the entire state. Hosts can be fined $1,000 for a first violation of the law and $7,500 for a third.
It's not just the law itself that poses a problem for Airbnb. Anti-Airbnb legislation in a high profile city like New York could inspire other cities to follow suit. New York is already one of Airbnb's most lucrative markets in the world.
Despite settling the suit, Airbnb still doesn't like the law, New York spokesman Peter Schottenfels said. The company plans to work with the city to figure out how to use the law to crack down on more traditional illegal hotels. A public hearing will be held later this month on questions surrounding the law's enforcement.
‘Our Man in Tokyo’ Screening at JANM
Will TikTok Music take Spotify down?
Tony Hawk sings with 'Tony Hawk's Pro Skater' cover band in London bar
Wordle today: Here's the July 29 Wordle answer and hints
Dota 2 и Counter
Wordle today: Here's the July 24 Wordle answer and hints
The best sports movies on Netflix in 2022
Bad faith actors weaponized DMCA takedowns and censored a prominent crypto critic
Hirahara to Discuss and Sign ‘Hiroshima Boy’
Wordle today: Here's the July 25 Wordle answer and hints
800 Traction Residents to Hold Art Sale
10 best music docs on Prime Video, for when you need to let your hair down
'Fake Tricia' is the realest thing in 'The Rehearsal' premiere
Samsung leak shows upcoming Z Flip 4 and Fold 4 from all angles
PAAWWW Panel
WhatsApp will finally let you hide your online status
Motorola Razr event is back on, but we already know the specs
Netflix's 'The Gray Man' needs more Alfre Woodard
Studio Ghibli Films in Hollywood, Santa Monica
Snapchat's new AR game lets you hunt ghosts in your own home
Best Buy 3Microsoft is testing out start menu ad placement in Windows 11Best travel deal: Southwest Airlines Wanna Get Away sale has flights for as low as $39 one wayGoogle Photos is making its AI photo editing tools available for all usersHumane Ai Pin reviews: Top 5 common complaints about the 'smartphone killer'Tesla slashes Full Self'Fallout' gives a major 'New Vegas' hint in the finaleTesla slashes Full SelfHow to change or remove the band on your Apple WatchFrida launches uncensored website for sexual and maternal health education Whaling Upwards Today's Hurdle hints and answers for June 27, 2025 What Ever Happened to Netscape? When is 'Sinners' streaming? How to watch the smash horror hit at home. Astronomers have detected oxygen in the most ancient known galaxy NYT Strands hints, answers for June 26 Scaling a mountain, NASA rover sends home glorious Martian view Webb telescope just got a crystal Save on Kindle bundles ahead of Prime Day 2025 How CPUs are Designed and Built, Part 2: CPU Design Process
0.1579s , 9760.71875 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【?? ??? ??】Airbnb sells out hosts in NYC lawsuit settlement,Global Hot Topic Analysis
