Airbnb is under renewed pressure to face a federal investigation from more than 1,600 US cities, fuelling the efforts of senator Elizabeth Warren to make the company publicise data regarding its impact on affordable housing. In their letter to the Federal Trade Commission, a group of American lawmakers pressed for greater consumer protection, and for analysis of how the short-term rental industry is "facilitating commercial operations". Opponents say the $30bn company's website is increasingly being used by hotel-like businesses, taking much-need affordable housing off the market. Airbnb argues it is not legally liable when users' listings contravene housing law.
Airbnb is under renewed pressure to face a federal investigation from over a dozen US cities, fuelling the efforts of senator Elizabeth Warren to make the company publicise data regarding its impact on affordable housing. In their letter to the Federal Trade Commission, a group of American lawmakers pressed for greater consumer protection, and for analysis of how the short-term rental industry is "facilitating commercial operations". Opponents say the $30bn company's website is increasingly being used by hotel-like businesses, taking much-need affordable housing off the market. Airbnb argues it is not legally liable when users' listings contravene housing law.