Uber, Airbnb and other pioneers of the “sharing economy” are coming under heightened scrutiny from a US watchdog that wants to know if consumers are at risk from their use of personal data and liability regimes.
The Federal Trade Commission is examining internet businesses that facilitate peer-to-peer transactions for transport, accommodation and ecommerce as their explosive growth creates friction around the world.
Marina Lao, director of the FTC’s policy planning office, told the Financial Times: “Essentially we want to see how we can regulate these new business models in a way that would protect consumers and not hinder innovation.”