Airbnb sues new York over online privacy rental housing

The California-based company Airbnb, which owns the eponymous online service for short-term rentals, has filed a lawsuit against the authorities of new York, stating that the adopted in July the law on the suppression of unlawful rent violates the U.S. Constitution.

According to this law, Airbnb and similar platforms should be provided monthly to the appropriate authorities confidential information about tenants and landlords, including names, addresses, emails and phone numbers. Failure to provide client information threatens the companies with a fine of $1500.

The purpose of this act, the city authorities called the identification of offenders, placing illegal ads. However, Airbnb Inc. declared illegal the law, calling it «an act of governmental supervision». According to the company, it violates the Fourth amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizure.

Civil liberties Union of new York even before the adoption of the law suggested that online transactions remain anonymous and the data about them was stored only a short period of time. Officials insist on transparency of contracts how to ensure the safety of the parties and to reduce the cost of housing in the Big Apple.

«This law provides the city with critical information needed to preserve our housing stock, ensure the safety of tenants and residents in homes and areas», — said the Executive Director of the office of special enforcement mayor’s office of Christian Klossner.

. #Airbnb is suing the city of #NewYork in response to a new #law that requires the #company hosts to share names and addresses with the #authorities every month, by saying it violates the first and fourth #amendments. #RealEstate #NYC #NY #luxurylifestyle #travel #TravelTheWorld pic.twitter.com/PkGniQ7Bwk

— Dr Groyle (@vuoiridere) August 26, 2018

The city Council passed the law unanimously, citing the need to protect the residents of the Big Apple with low incomes from rent increases, due in part to online services on rental housing.

In force of the contested area Airbnb legislation due to come in February 2019.

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