AirBnB bans guests with connections with banned people – 07/03/2023 – Tech

AirBnB banned people who had close relationships with former users excluded for violating the hosting platform’s policy, revealed the North American website Vice. American Amanda (whose last name was not revealed) was removed from the application, after trying to make a reservation with her boyfriend’s card under sanction.

Sought, the company says that the practice, still in force, aims to prevent the banned user from staying in one of the accommodations offered on the platform, to ensure the safety of hosts and customers. AirBnB did not respond, however, how the company determines whether a person is related to another and whether banned guests can appeal the veto.

“As a digital platform that facilitates real-world travel and connections, this is a necessary security precaution,” says AirBnB.

An email received by Amanda indicates that the platform gave the user the possibility to appeal. She tried unsuccessfully to appeal.

According to Vice’s report, the company replied that it was necessary to maintain the ban to protect the app’s community and that the decision had been made after further analysis. “We will not be able to provide additional support for this case at this time,” it would have added.

Professor of digital law Eduardo Tomasevicius Filho, from USP, says that punishment against a person linked to an offender violates the fundamental right to full defense and due process, guaranteed by the Brazilian Constitution.

According to the teacher, the application can apply sanctions to those who use its services for being private property, as long as it respects the legislation. “There is no publicity, there is no contradictory, there is no full defense, there is no due process, there is also a lack of guarantees that the sentence will not pass the sentence.”

AirBnB did not clarify to the report whether the sanction process is done by algorithm and undergoes human review.

The hosting application has promoted measures to keep hosts and avoid attrition with neighbors. In June 2022, it banned parties and events on the platform’s accommodations. In April 2021, it launched the support channel for neighbors to receive reports of incidents.

According to Airbnb, reports of disturbances resulting from parties have decreased by 44% since the measure was introduced. In 2021, more than 6,600 users had their accounts suspended for attempting to violate the ban.

They can also be punished with a veto on the hosting platform, according to the policy not to disturb the neighbors:

• excessive noise
• Visitors beyond the allowed
• excessive garbage
• Discomfort caused by smokers
• parking hassles
• infringement of property
• Vandalism