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Booking.com must disclose private host identities, court rules
The Austrian Supreme Court (OGH) has ruled that the online booking platform Booking.com is required to disclose the identity and contact information of private accommodation providers to customers. This decision confirms a previous ruling and follows a lawsuit filed by the Association for Consumer Information (VKI) on behalf of the Social Ministry.
Previously, while commercial hosts were required to provide identity details before a booking, no such explicit legal requirement existed for private hosts. This often left consumers unable to identify their contracting partner, making it difficult or impossible to enforce legal claims in the event of disputes. The court determined that the obligation to provide transparency and protect consumer rights outweighs the data protection concerns raised by the platform. The information must be provided immediately following the completion of a booking, rather than only upon a customer's specific request.
Entities
Austrian Supreme Court · Booking.com · Verein für Konsumenteninformation
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Austrian Supreme Court (OGH) ruled that Booking.com must disclose the identity and contact details of private accommodation providers. www.vol.at · www.presse-nachrichten.de · kurier.at
- [● 3 SOURCES] Information regarding private hosts must be provided immediately after the booking is completed, rather than only upon specific request. www.vol.at · www.presse-nachrichten.de · kurier.at
- [● 2 SOURCES] The court ruled that the obligation to inform consumers outweighs the data protection concerns raised by Booking.com. www.vol.at · kurier.at
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Association for Consumer Information (VKI) filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of the Social Ministry. www.vol.at · www.presse-nachrichten.de · kurier.at