The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced it will host a new workshop to examine competition, consumer protection and economic issues related to the sharing economy. Peer-to-peer platforms, such as Airbnb and Uber, are part of a new spate of business models in industries subject to regulation. “We are seeing a dramatic growth in products and services that are built on peer-to-peer platforms, such as ride-sharing and property rentals, as more entrepreneurs harness the power of technology to reach more consumers,” said FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez. The FTC is now seeking public comment on five questions ranging from regulatory models to privacy and data security issues. Comments will be accepted until May 26, and the workshop will be held June 9.
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