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New York City tech leaders object to Trump immigration ban
If it wasn't already clear that the tech industry is opposed to President Trump's immigration restrictions, it is now. Hundreds of New York City tech luminaries have signed a letter that urges Trump to change his mind on the policies, many of whom are from companies you'll recognize -- Airbnb, Blue Apron, Comcast Ventures, Foursquare, Indiegogo and Kickstarter are just a few examples. Many of them are CEOs or founders of influential firms, including Uber chief Travis Kalanick.
Apple, Microsoft and Uber help staff stranded by Trump ban (update: Airbnb)
President Trump's restrictions on immigration from Muslim-majority countries is affecting many, many more tech companies besides Google. Apple, Microsoft, Uber and others are rushing to accommodate employees who suddenly find themselves isolated by the new ban -- and in some cases, pressing for change at the highest levels. Apple, for instance, is both providing staff with support and "reaching out" to the White House to discuss the "negative effect" of the ban. Microsoft, meanwhile, says it's offering "legal advice and assistance" to workers. Uber, meanwhile, is discussing a very specific solution.
Airbnb is eyeing an international payment app
Airbnb is taking its all-inclusive aspirations one step further. Now, the short-term rental service is close to buying mobile payment app Tilt for $10 to $20 million, according to The Information. For the uninitiated, Tilt's wrinkle is that it can process cross-currency payments -- which should help with Airbnb's international expansion plans. And as far as what users will notice, it sounds like people will be able to split the bill on a room rental in the future. If you're looking to outfit your rental pad with augmented reality area rugs, that's the other Tilt, Tilt Textiles.
Airbnb reportedly working on a flight-booking feature
Bloomberg reports that short-term rental listing service, Airbnb is looking to get into airline reservation game as well. According to unnamed sources within the company, Airbnb's plans are still in the formational stages. The company could either acquire an online travel agency outright or simply license the booking data.
A new, compromise-friendly Airbnb makes nice with New Orleans
We knew Airbnb was working with more accommodating policies as it tries to improve relationships with the cities that don't love it, but it turns out the company really is willing to make some tough concessions. Case in point: New Orleans. Recently, the city and the company brokered a deal in which Airbnb would provide the municipal government with the names and addresses of hosts, as well as agreeing that hosts would have to register with the city and obtain permits.
Airbnb outlines where it's willing to compromise with regulators
Airbnb is changing policy in a bid to improve its lobbying powers and help establish itself within city and regional regulations. Having failed in its recent New York lawsuit, it's now attempting to get to some kind of middle ground. It's drawn up a list of "policy recommendations", alongside issues that Airbnb reckons are in the self-interest of government and not the public. The company may have limited power to affect policy, but it's now at least illustrating concessions that it's willing to make.. in order get more hosting properties, more guests and more sweet profit.
Airbnb drops its lawsuit against New York
Some of Airbnb's larger US legal battles are winding down quickly. In the wake of a settlement with the state, the rental listings company is dropping a lawsuit against New York that fought a ban on short-term rentals where the tenant isn't present. State assembly member Linda Rosenthal describes this as a victory over a "foolhardy and frivolous" complaint, although there is a degree of compromise involved. Officials won't aim to directly punish Airbnb, Rosenthal says. While they'd never intended to single out Airbnb in the first place, the focus will instead be on the people abusing services for bootleg hotels and similarly sketchy operations.
Airbnb will limit Amsterdam rentals to 60 days a year
One of the sticks that is used to beat Airbnb with is that the company cares nought for social cohesion or its effect upon communities. That's why it's big news to see that the home-sharing firm will comply with property rental regulations in the Netherlands. From January, homeowners in Amsterdam will only be able to sell time in their place for 60 days in a calendar year, unless they already have specific permission to offer more. The Wall Street Journal believes that the move could be the solution to the on-going war it's fighting with cities across the globe.
Airbnb settles lawsuit with New York over short-term rental law
Airbnb has settled its lawsuit against the state of New York, but that doesn't mean it has given up. The rental listing service sued the state after governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill that made it illegal to rent out units in buildings for less than 30 days if the tenant isn't there. Those who violate it will be subject to some pretty heavy fines, starting at $1,000 for the first instance. You just haven't heard of anyone being slapped with a fine yet, because authorities decided not to enforce the law until this lawsuit has been settled. Now, the two parties have agreed that New York City and not the state will be responsible for enforcing the new law, so they filed papers to dismiss the lawsuit.
Airbnb goes beyond spare rooms with 'experiences' and 'places'
It's no secret that Airbnb has ambitions beyond renting out spare rooms. Not least because local authorities keep throwing water on its core business model. The company has already made some acquisitions in the "experience" space, and run trials offering local guides and excursions to match your local accommodation. Today CEO Brian Chesky finally gave us a concrete idea of exactly what Airbnb's holistic future, and on-demand travel in general, will look like.
San Francisco judge denies Airbnb's lawsuit against the city
When Airbnb sued San Francisco in June, claiming that people listing their apartments for rent were responsible for any wrongdoing (like failing to register as a business), city officials were quick to respond. At the time, they said that the rental outfit was reading the Communications Decency Act (CDA) how it wanted to. As such, a city judge has rejected the suit, according to Reuters. Presiding judge James Donato said that the CDA does not "regulate what can or cannot be said or posted in the listings."
Airbnb now requires that hosts accept anti-discrimination rules
Remember how Airbnb said it would ask you to agree to a non-discrimination policy if you wanted to host guests? That's now in effect. As of November 1st, hosts must abide by rules forbidding them from discriminating against guests. In the US, they're explicitly barred from discrimination based on factors such as race, nationality, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation. Hosts can label shared living spaces as open solely to same-gender guests (to discourage creeps) and warn disabled guests about accessibility problems, but those are the only major exceptions.
New York passes law making it illegal to list short-term rentals on Airbnb (update)
New York governor Andrew Cuomo just signed a bill into law that will make it much harder for Airbnb to operate in the state. New York already prohibits rentals of less than 30 days in a multi-unit building if the tenant is not present -- a situation that many Airbnb listings advertise. This new law makes even listing an advertisement for such a situation illegal itself, a tool that some think the state will use to go after Airbnb directly.
Airbnb bans multi-listing hosts in New York and San Francisco
Airbnb knows that city and state governments are eager to crack down on abuse of its home rentals for makeshift hotels, so it's taking action before it has no choice. As of November 1st, residential hosts are banned from offering multiple listings in both New York state and San Francisco -- you can't just buy up a string of apartments in the hope of turning a profit. At least in New York, it will also implement a three-strikes policy that permanently bans repeat offenders. It's not yet certain that Airbnb will institute similar rules in other areas, though it wouldn't be surprising if they spread elsewhere.
Airbnb wants to offer travelers more than a place to sleep
Airbnb has been taking tentative steps towards being more than just a vacation rental service -- the company has shown some ambitions to plan entire trips for its users. Today, the company acquired Trip4Real, a travel-focused startup from Barcelona that Airbnb had already been partnering with. It's a move that should help Airbnb expand on its ambitions to offer travelers more and more things to do in their cities of choice. Trip4Real's business was built on offering activities in cities around the world; the company's slogan of "experience a city like a local" sounds like the same message Airbnb has been pushing for some time now.
Airbnb introduces new rules meant to fight discrimination
Airbnb has gone forward with several rules meant to combat the discrimination perceived in its rental policy as of today.
Airbnb claims Santa Monica ban violates the Constitution
Airbnb isn't done with lawsuits over home rental laws it doesn't like -- not by a long shot. It's suing Santa Monica over municipal code that effectively bans "vacation rental" services through severe restrictions (you have to be home and obtain a business license, for example) and reporting requirements. For one thing, it claims that the rules violate multiple aspects of the US Constitution. They're allegedly a violation of free speech by dictating what content people can publish. Airbnb also claims that they infringe on search and seizure rights (and the Stored Communications Act) by requiring the disclosure of sensitive customer info without legal procedures, and tread on due process rights because they're both "vague" and don't notify you of potential lawbreaking.
Airbnb rentals can play havoc with your mortgage
Renting out your home on a service like Airbnb is supposed to be good for your bottom line, but it's now clear that it can create some headaches if you're a homeowner. The Wall Street Journal is warning that banks may turn down your attempt to refinance your mortgage if they learn that you've rented your home on Airbnb. Simply speaking, banks tend to see homes as either personal residences or investments and don't like the risk associated with the latter. While some banks may allow a gray area between the two, others won't be so kind -- Bank of America, for example, won't give you a home equity line of credit if there's a "material amount" of commerce in your home.
Google taps Airbnb exec to turn self-driving cars into a business
Google's self-driving car project hit a rough patch with the departure of one of its earliest team members, but it's evident that the tech giant is still bent on turning the experiment into a viable business. The company has hired Airbnb executive Shaun Stewart, who led his former employer's vacation rental team, as a director for its autonomous vehicle group. He'll focus on commercializing the division -- just what that entails isn't clear, but previous rumors (and industry expectations) suggest that he may translate Google's self-driving technology into a robotic ride-for-hire service.
Airbnb takes down its experimental Trips app for Android
Airbnb has pulled down an unreleased app it was testing from Google Play shortly after people caught wind of its existence and what it can do. The experimental application represents the future of the company, you see, one that goes beyond vacation home rentals. While the test wasn't open to the public, a Bloomberg report revealed that travelers will be able to use the app called Airbnb Trips to book restaurant reservations and even city tours. If it can truly offer everything you'll need when you go on a trip, then it has the potential to become an essential companion for jetsetters and frequent travelers.
