Australian court fines Airbnb over misleading accommodation pricing By Reuters

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Collectible figurines are seen in entrance of the Airbnb emblem on this illustration taken February 27, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photograph

(Reuters) -The Australian Federal Courtroom has ordered Airbnb to pay A$15 million ($10.1 million) in penalties and as much as A$15 million in compensation after the holiday rental agency admitted that it misled shoppers on lodging pricing, the nation’s competitors regulator mentioned on Wednesday.

Between January 2018 and August 2021, Airbnb Eire, which operates in Australia, admitted that it misled shoppers by displaying costs utilizing solely the ‘$’ signal, with out clarifying that the costs have been in U.S. {dollars} and never within the native forex, the Australian Competitors & Shopper Fee (ACCC) mentioned in a press release.

“By paying in U.S. {dollars}, these shoppers have been charged greater than they anticipated, and have been disadvantaged of an opportunity to make an knowledgeable determination about whether or not to make the reserving due to this deceptive conduct,” mentioned ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb.

Airbnb has labored constructively with the ACCC, mentioned Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb’s nation supervisor for Australia and New Zealand, whereas clarifying that the ultimate cost quantity displayed the relevant forex code together with within the U.S. greenback at a degree when friends confirmed they needed to proceed.

“Whereas solely a really small share of Australian friends are believed to have been impacted, we’re disillusioned that this occurred. Airbnb wish to apologise to these friends,” mentioned Wheeldon.

Airbnb, which operates an internet market for homestays, acquired greater than 2,000 complaints from Australian clients over being charged in U.S. {dollars} throughout this era.

The ACCC in June 2022 initiated proceedings in opposition to the agency and its Irish unit, alleging that they made deceptive representations to shoppers concerning the forex for Australian lodging bookings.

($1 = 1.4804 Australian {dollars})