A new nonprofit wants to promote and protect peer-to-peer services, but says it won't lobby the government. July 31, 2013 12:50 PM PDT Peers Executive Director Natalie Foster (center) speaks at a recent Peers community event. (Credit: Peers) Peer-to-peer businesses have a new voice as it goes against traditional industries and, in some cases, government regulations. Businesses like Airbnb, Lyft and TaskRabbit -- companies in the "sharing-economy" -- has partnered with Peers, a nonprofit that will organize sharing-economy users. The newly formed organization made its debut on Wednesday. Executive Director Natalie Foster said the goal of the organization is to promote, and protect, the businesses and groups that allow people to share goods and services. This means holding events to bring together advocates and users for "community-building" and providing a place for them to share stories and talk about related topics, which includes legislation or local regulations. Many of the organizations partnering with peer are tech companies who profit from the peer-to-peer services. Aside from Airbnb, Lyft and TaskTabbit, here are a few other group partners: • Get Around • Zaarly • Sidecar • RelayRides • Yerdle Related stories Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar get tentative green light in Calif. Android beats iPad in tablet market share -- report Citi Bike leaks private info of 1,174 customers by accident The businesses don't fund Peers. Instead, they will promote the nonprofit to their users, Foster said. Foster has an extensive background in running nonprofits and advocacy groups, including President Barack Obama's digital team at Organizing for America. While Foster has a keen interest how tech can disrupt politics and encourage social change, she said Peers will not focus on pushing or lobbying for legislation. But, it can't hurt the companies to have a nonprofit advocating for their cause. Peer-to-peer services, specifically car-sharing ones like Lyft and Sidecar, won a victory on Tuesday, when the California Public Utilities Commission decided it would allow ride-sharing if drivers agreed to certain guidelines, despite continuing protest from those in the taxi industry.
A new nonprofit wants to promote and protect peer-to-peer services, but says it won't lobby the government.
Peers Executive Director Natalie Foster (center) speaks at a recent Peers community event.
(Credit: Peers)
Peer-to-peer businesses have a new voice as it goes against traditional industries and, in some cases, government regulations. Businesses like Airbnb, Lyft and TaskRabbit -- companies in the "sharing-economy" -- has partnered with Peers, a nonprofit that will organize sharing-economy users.
The newly formed organization made its debut on Wednesday. Executive Director Natalie Foster said the goal of the organization is to promote, and protect, the businesses and groups that allow people to share goods and services. This means holding events to bring together advocates and users for "community-building" and providing a place for them to share stories and talk about related topics, which includes legislation or local regulations.
Many of the organizations partnering with peer are tech companies who profit from the peer-to-peer services. Aside from Airbnb, Lyft and TaskTabbit, here are a few other group partners:
• Get Around
• Zaarly
• Sidecar
• RelayRides
• Yerdle
Related stories
- Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar get tentative green light in Calif.
- Android beats iPad in tablet market share -- report
- Citi Bike leaks private info of 1,174 customers by accident
The businesses don't fund Peers. Instead, they will promote the nonprofit to their users, Foster said. Foster has an extensive background in running nonprofits and advocacy groups, including President Barack Obama's digital team at Organizing for America. While Foster has a keen interest how tech can disrupt politics and encourage social change, she said Peers will not focus on pushing or lobbying for legislation. But, it can't hurt the companies to have a nonprofit advocating for their cause.
Peer-to-peer services, specifically car-sharing ones like Lyft and Sidecar, won a victory on Tuesday, when the California Public Utilities Commission decided it would allow ride-sharing if drivers agreed to certain guidelines, despite continuing protest from those in the taxi industry.
