The rise of Uber and Airbnb : the future of consumer protection and the sharing economy

The sharing economy has been heralded for disrupting traditional business models by reducing the barriers of entry. It has also been lauded for the ease and simplicity of doing business while opening new opportunities for consumers. The dark side to this, however, is that it has also created legal and regulatory uncertainties for consumers and stakeholders alike given that technological advances have been known to outpace legal development. While some of these uncertainties are easily foreseen, a good number will remain unknown until they occur. This article explores the application of the Australian Consumer Law to sharing economy business models, particularly those of Uber and Airbnb that have been taken as the prototype for subsequent ventures.