We scour the internet to find the most interesting news on the collaborative consumption front. Here are our picks for the week:
The new ‘New Deal’? Sharing responsibility in the sharing economy
Arun Sundararajan, Policy Network
New peer-to-peer ‘sharing’ platforms have the potential to boost living standards across the many countries which they span. But as the boundaries between the personal and commercial blur, these radical innovations can also undermine hard-fought consumer and employee protections. Governments and the market need to share responsibility for developing a new social safety net. Peer-to-peer platforms in particular have both a moral and a business imperative to protect the providers and consumers of their services.
San Francisco Mayor Signs Bill Regulating Airbnb, Short-Term Apartment Rentals
Chris Roberts, NBC
On Monday, Mayor Ed Lee signed into law legislation that legalizes the renting-out of apartments for short periods of time. That means rentals reserved via Airbnb, which is based in San Francisco, are now legal.
Airbnb to help provide emergency accommodation in Victoria under deal with Government
Stephanie Anderson, ABC
Under the Airbnb abd Victoria government partnership, Airbnb would match people needing crisis accommodation with those willing to offer up rooms at a low cost or for free.
Market News: Amsterdam Startup Peerby Raises $2.1 M
Harmen van Sprang, Collaborative Consumption
Amsterdam-based local borrowing platform Peerby raises $2.1 million. The investment round is led by French XAnge Private Equity. Netherlands-based Sanoma Ventures invested for a second time. TechStars and angels from Canada and the United States also invested. Dutch founder Daan Weddepohl is going to use the funds for product development and and international growth, with a specific focus on the United States.
