The provided text is an extensive Wikipedia article about the company Airbnb, offering a comprehensive overview of the online marketplace for short-term rentals. The source details the company's history and origins, including its founding in 2008 and subsequent growth through acquisitions and funding rounds. Crucially, the text outlines the complex regulations imposed on Airbnb across various global jurisdictions in Europe, the United States, Canada, and Asia. Finally, the article thoroughly addresses numerous criticisms and controversies faced by the company, such as its effects on housing affordability, issues related to discrimination, legal challenges, and incidents involving hosts' illegal behavior like hidden cameras.