The internet was supposed to make the rental market more efficient and transparent. But has it instead turned the basic human need for shelter into a frantic, dehumanising battle with technology - where algorithms, platforms, and data have more power than the people looking for a home?We're joined by Thomas Sigler - Deputy Head of the School of the Environment and Associate Professor of Human Geography at the University of Queensland - whose research sits at the exact intersection of urban geography, technology, and how we live.Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.Follow or subscribe to never miss the next investigation - new episodes regularly.Visit us: https://www.ruinedbytheinternet.com/Help us investigate ourselves: https://www.ruinedbytheinternet.com/survey/Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/rbtishowIn this episode we investigate how short-term rental platforms hollowed out housing supply, examine the role of PropTech in reshaping how we search and apply for homes, explore the data privacy implications of digital rental applications, and ask whether the technology that promised transparency has simply handed more power to landlords, platforms, and property influencers.00:00 Introduction to the Rental Market Crisis02:57 The Impact of Short-Term Rentals06:04 Understanding the Rental Market Dynamics08:47 The Role of PropTech in Rental Searches11:55 Community Resistance and Transient Populations15:02 The Rise of Digital Nomadism17:51 The Transparency of Digital Platforms21:07 Privacy Concerns in Rental Applications24:09 Regulatory Challenges in the Rental Market26:45 The Influence of Property Influencers29:56 FOMO and the Property Market33:10 Crisis in the Housing Market36:05 The Future of Housing and Technology38:59 What renters can actually doGuest links — Thomas Sigler:https://environment.uq.edu.au/profile/9602/thomas-sigler