• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Airbnb

New York Attorney General, Airbnb reach settlement over user records subpoena

By
Tom Huddleston Jr.
Tom Huddleston Jr.
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Tom Huddleston Jr.
Tom Huddleston Jr.
Down Arrow Button Icon
May 21, 2014, 12:00 PM ET
From: AirBnB.com/S/New-York--NY

FORTUNE — Airbnb has reached a settlement with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman over the state’s latest subpoena of user records from the online room rental service.

Schneiderman’s deputy attorney general, Janet Sabel, and Airbnb deputy general counsel Darren Weingard issued a joint statement Wednesday morning announcing the fact that the two sides have come to terms: “Airbnb and the Office of the Attorney General have worked tirelessly over the past six months to come to an agreement that appropriately balances Attorney General Schneiderman’s commitment to protecting New York’s residents and tourists from illegal hotels with Airbnb’s concerns about the privacy of thousands of other hosts. The arrangement we have reached today for compliance with the OAG subpoena strikes this balance.”

Schneiderman had a previous attempt to gain access to Airbnb’s user information blocked by a state judge last week. The state’s top attorney filed a new subpoena last Wednesday, a day after the judge’s decision, in the hopes of uncovering the identities of the site’s users in New York who are renting out their apartments and homes.

MORE: New York attorney general issues new subpoena in Airbnb case

In New York, it is illegal for most residents of apartment buildings to rent out space in their unit for less than 30 days unless they are present during the rental period. Another hotly debated issue is whether or not the 15% occupancy tax usually paid by hotels should also apply to Airbnb hosts.

Under the terms of the agreement between Airbnb and the state, the website will begin providing Schneiderman’s office with anonymized user data within the next three weeks, a process expected to take less than 30 days. The anonymized data will not include users’ names, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers or any social media information. Social security and tax information will also be redacted while website user names and users’ unit or apartment numbers will be replaced with “unique identifiers.”

Over the following year, should the Attorney General’s Office decide to investigate or seek enforcement against any anonymous users based on the information Airbnb provides, the website will comply with the state’s wishes to uncover those users’ identities.

MORE: Behind Airbnb’s legal fights, grassroots activism

Airbnb will also start asking hosts listing new properties in New York over the next year to read a disclaimer (included in the terms of the agreement as “Exhibit A”) informing them of New York’s multiple dwelling law as well as various tax and rent regulations. At the bottom of the disclaimer, Airbnb recommends that users “consult a local lawyer or tax professional.”

About the Author
By Tom Huddleston Jr.
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

three men in suits, one gesturing
AIBrainstorm AI
The fastest athletes in the world can botch a baton pass if trust isn’t there—and the same is true of AI, Blackbaud exec says
By Amanda GerutDecember 12, 2025
2 minutes ago
Personal Financemortgages
7 best HELOC lenders in 2025: How to choose the best home equity line of credit for your situation
By Joseph HostetlerDecember 12, 2025
9 minutes ago
HelloFresh meal delivery service.
Healthmeal delivery
HelloFresh Review : We Tasted Everything so You Don’t Have To
By Christina SnyderDecember 12, 2025
18 minutes ago
Brainstorm AI panel
AIBrainstorm AI
Creative workers won’t be replaced by AI—but their roles will change to become ‘directors’ managing AI agents, executives say
By Beatrice NolanDecember 12, 2025
22 minutes ago
Personal FinanceCertificates of Deposit (CDs)
Truist CD rates 2025: Probably not your best option (but here’s how to decide)
By Joseph HostetlerDecember 12, 2025
50 minutes ago
The Citibank logo on a green layered background.
Personal FinanceCertificates of Deposit (CDs)
Citibank CD rates 2025
By Joseph HostetlerDecember 12, 2025
51 minutes ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Success
At 18, doctors gave him three hours to live. He played video games from his hospital bed—and now, he’s built a $10 million-a-year video game studio
By Preston ForeDecember 10, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Palantir cofounder calls elite college undergrads a ‘loser generation’ as data reveals rise in students seeking support for disabilities, like ADHD
By Preston ForeDecember 11, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Investing
Baby boomers have now 'gobbled up' nearly one-third of America's wealth share, and they're leaving Gen Z and millennials behind
By Sasha RogelbergDecember 8, 2025
4 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
Tariffs are taxes and they were used to finance the federal government until the 1913 income tax. A top economist breaks it down
By Kent JonesDecember 12, 2025
9 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
‘We have not seen this rosy picture’: ADP’s chief economist warns the real economy is pretty different from Wall Street’s bullish outlook
By Eleanor PringleDecember 11, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Uncategorized
Transforming customer support through intelligent AI operations
By Lauren ChomiukNovember 26, 2025
16 days ago
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.