Roommates, with President-elect Joe Biden’s upcoming inauguration approaching, Airbnb is planning on preventing rioters and hate groups from making housing reservations. According to ABC News, this comes as a direct response to some city officials who asked housing platforms Airbnb, VRBO, and others, to remove their listings until the January 20th inauguration is over.
DC Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, wrote on Twitter, “There’s no way to guarantee that your guests are not coming to incite violence. Please protect your neighbors and the District from more attacks.”
Airbnb released a statement on their website yesterday stating, “As we approach the Presidential Inauguration, we are providing an update on the steps we are taking to help protect our community of hosts and guests in the greater Washington, D.C. area. In advance of the Inauguration, we are expanding and enhancing our Trust and Safety defense systems. Today we’re announcing our Capitol Safety Plan – a 7-step plan to help build trust and assist with protecting the greater D.C. community.”
Airbnb listed several steps of action they are enacting, including banning individuals identified in criminal activity at the capitol. They are reviewing all D.C. Area reservations and will cancel reservations and or ban those they determine are a hate group.
They are also increasing booking requirements for U.S. residents. Residents must successfully verify their identity – and at times will be required to provide their government ID. Airbnb is also adding additional security checks. The company will be communicating to all guests that if they learn their guests are members of hate groups, planning violence, or violating their policies or terms of service, Airbnb may bring legal action against them.
This isn’t the first time Airbnb has stepped up their security measures. If you recall, in 2017, following the Charlottesville riots, Airbnb applied Trust and Safety defenses to combat violent and discriminatory hate groups.
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