Airbnb has been fined $15 million for failing to tell Australian customers that some overseas prices were listed in US rather than Australian dollars, with the Federal Court branding it misleading or deceptive conduct.
Airbnb faces $30m bill over Aussie dollar confusion thenewdaily.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thenewdaily.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Between January 2018 and August 2021, Airbnb Ireland, which operates in Australia, admitted that it misled consumers by displaying prices using only the $ sign, without clarifying that the prices were in US dollars and not in the local currency, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) said.
An Australian court on Wednesday ordered Airbnb to pay a 15 million Australian dollar ($10 million) fine, and the accommodation rental company could pay as much.