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ARTICLE · 06 AUGUST 2024

Failure to specify currency can be deceptive conduct and a $15 million fine

Stacks Law Firm
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Businesses can be fined if they fail to specify which currency is displayed in their online prices.

AustraliaConsumer Protection
Anne-Marie Fahey
Anne-Marie Fahey
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A court decision in 2023 serves as a pointed warning to businesses they are open to massive fines if they fail to specify which currency is displayed in their online prices.

Airbnb Ireland receives massive fine for tricking customers on currency

In 2023 the Federal Court issued a $15 million fine against Airbnb Ireland for not making it clear that prices displayed on its website for accommodation in some Australian short-term rentals were in US dollars, not Australian dollars. (Please see Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Airbnb Ireland UC [2023] FCA 1633.)

The ACCC took the global booking giant to the Federal Court, alleging Airbnb had tricked tens of thousands of customers into paying for their accommodation booking in US dollars, rather than Australian dollars. (Please see Airbnb to pay $15m in penalties and up to $15m compensation for misleading consumers, ACCC, 20 December 2023.)

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