By Tornos News
Leading online marketplace and hospitality service Airbnb has refused to turn over the personal data of its customers to the Greek Finance Ministry issuing the following announcement:
“Hosts on Airbnb want to pay their share of tax and we want to help but in respect of their privacy. Personal data are subject to strict rules to protect privacy and we want to work together on a better way forward. We want to continue being good partners in Greece and by working together, we can help boost economic and social opportunities for regular people, generate new tax revenues and help spread tourism benefits to regular people and their communities.
Background:
· Airbnb routinely shares information with Greece on the impacts of home sharing. Personal data is shared only through a valid legal request pursuant to national and European data privacy laws. Airbnb takes these requests seriously and takes appropriate action in response.
· We know hosts want to pay their fair share of tax and we want to help. To date, Airbnb has entered into agreements to collect and remit hotel and tourist taxes on behalf of hosts with over 310 jurisdictions, remitting more than $300 million in hotel and tourist taxes throughout the world.
· Airbnb helps grow and diversify tourism in Greece, generates new economic activity, spreads benefits to more families and communities, and supports local residents who share their homes. In 2016, hosts across Greece welcomed over 770,000 guests into their homes, with the typical listing being shared for less than three days a month and the typical host earning $2,800 a year.”
