Airbnb says it will deploy “anti-party technology” in a bid to crack down on customers who ransack the homes they’ve booked with massive beatings.
The technology, which has been tested in Australia, will look at “factors such as positive review history (or lack thereof), how long the guest has been on Airbnb, length of trip, distance to ‘on announcement, weekend versus weekdays, among many others’ to determine if a particular booking was likely to be for hosting a party, the company said. It will initially be used in the States United States and Canada, and will continue to operate in Australia.
“The primary goal is to attempt to reduce the ability of bad actors to host unauthorized parties that negatively impact our guests, our neighbors, and the communities we serve,” Airbnb said in a statement. “It’s part and parcel of our commitment to our host community – who respect their neighbors and don’t want to participate in property damage and other issues that may arise with unauthorized or disruptive parties.”
Until the Covid pandemic, Airbnb voluntarily allowed hosts to rent out their properties for the purpose of hosting house parties, although the company has always prohibited guests from hosting parties against the owner’s wishes. “Historically, we allowed hosts to use their best judgment and allow parties when appropriate for their home and neighborhood,” the company said earlier this year.
In 2019, a new rule banned “open” parties – those advertised on social media – and allowed hosts to be kicked off the platform for renting “chronic party houses” that became nuisances. in their wider quarters. In 2020, however, the company saw an increase in stay-at-home party bookings as bars and clubs closed and put in place other restrictions, and in August of that year it instituted a ‘temporary’ ban. of all parties and events, which became permanent in June 2022.
Since October 2021, Airbnb has been testing its “anti-party technology” in Australia. “We have seen a 35% drop in incidents of unauthorized parties in areas of Australia where this pilot has been in effect,” the company says. A similar, but more blunt approach has been tested in North America, which simply banned customers under 25 without positive reviews from booking local venues.
If people suspect a home in their neighborhood is being rented by someone who has circumvented anti-party tech to host an illegal meeting, Airbnb provides a neighborhood helpline they can contact.
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