Airbnb Sues Using Internet Company Legal Shield

Airbnb, the online property rental service, has sued its home city of San Francisco, saying its new ordinance that would fine such companies for not proactively removing unregistered property listings violates the Communications Decency Act, the Stored Communications Act and the First Amendment. The CDA, created 20 years ago, protects internet companies from the actions of their users. The company claims that, though some people may be breaking San Francisco laws by listing properties on Airbnb without first registering with the city, the site cannot be held accountable for what people choose to list on the platform. That argument, under the CDA, is likely a “slam dunk,” legal observers said.