‘Airbnb for Cars’ App Turo Faces Scrutiny After Renting Vehicles Used in New Orleans and Las Vegas Attacks

Rental car app Turo, widely known as the “Airbnb of cars,” gained attention after the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded in Las Vegas and the truck used in the deadly terrorist attack in New Orleans were both rented through the platform. Ta.

business insider report Two separate incidents involving vehicles rented through the car-sharing app Turo have authorities investigating a possible connection between the incidents. A Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday, killing the driver and injuring seven others. The same day, a truck rented through Touro was used in a deadly terrorist attack in New Orleans that claimed 15 lives.

Turo, a San Francisco-based company often described as the “Airbnb for cars,” allows car owners to rent their cars to users. The platform offers a wide variety of cars, from everyday Toyotas to luxury Porsches and Teslas. With backing from high-profile investors such as American Express, BMW, and Google Ventures, as well as celebrities such as rapper 2 Chainz and various NBA and NFL players, Turo has grown to become a significant player in the car-sharing industry. did.

In a statement on its website, Touro confirmed that the vehicles involved in both the Las Vegas bombing and the New Orleans attack were rented through its service. The company said its trust and safety team is actively working with law enforcement and providing information to assist the investigation. Tullo also said he does not believe either tenant has a criminal history that would pose a security threat and that he is not aware of any information at this time that indicates the two incidents are related. Ta.

According to Tulo terms of servicecompanies “have the right, but not the obligation” to conduct background checks.

Turo reserves the right to conduct screenings, checks and engage in processes designed to (1) verify your identity or background, including driving history and driver license validity; and (2) verify vehicle details. Yes, but it is not mandatory. . Turo makes no commitment to endorse any vehicle, user, or user background or to conduct any particular review process. Turo may, in its sole discretion, use third-party services to verify the information you have provided to us and, if applicable, obtain additional relevant information and corrections. You also hereby authorize Turo to request, receive, use, and store such information. Turo may, in its sole and absolute discretion, grant or deny your request to reserve or list a Vehicle. Turo may make efforts to ensure the safety of vehicles shared through the Service, but makes no commitments. We make no representations, confirmations, or endorsements regarding the safety, roadworthiness, or legal status of any vehicles shared through the Service. Rather, organizers must ensure that their vehicle is safe and in drivable condition, legally registered for public road use, and has a clean title (e.g., unreclaimed/unbranded/ You are solely responsible for ensuring that the product is not washed/depreciated). , is not subject to any applicable safety recalls and otherwise meets our vehicle eligibility requirements.

Here's a Reddit thread from three years ago: Horror stories from users One that claims to rent a car through the Turo app. One user explains: He was arrested in my car for unrelated reasons and multiple guns were pulled from the car. The car was detained for three weeks. ” wrote another. [do background checks]. I know the facts. They pulled a man out of his car who had just been released from prison six months earlier and had an outstanding warrant for felony murder. The car was impounded. It will take a great ordeal to extract it. ”