Airbnb forces all users to sign anti-discrimination pledge after ‘no gays’ incidents
A woman browses the site of US home sharing giant Airbnb on a tablet in Berlin on April 28, 2016 (Photo by John MacDougall/AFP/Getty)
Online accommodation rental service Airbnb is forcing all users to sign an anti-discrimination pledge, after a string of homophobic and racist incidents.
The service allows users to rent out their own rooms to strangers seeking a place to stay.
It has faced a string of incidents where people have been rejected from rentals because of their sexuality or race.
Though the site has long banned users who actively discriminate, it recently vowed to implement new tougher policies.
In a message to all users this week, the service announced that from tomorrow (November 1) all users will be required to sign a “Community Commitment” to fight bias and discrimination in the Airbnb community.
The Commitment requires users to affirm that “you commit to treat everyone—regardless of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or age—with respect, and without judgement or bias”.
People unwilling to sign the Commitment will be booted off of the service, their bookings cancelled and their rentals de-listed.
Airbnb explained: “On or after November 1, we’ll show you the commitment when you log in to or open the Airbnb website, mobile or tablet app and we’ll automatically ask you to accept.
“If you decline the commitment, you won’t be able to host or book using Airbnb, and you have the option to cancel your account.
“Once your account is cancelled, future booked trips will be cancelled. You will still be able to browse Airbnb but you won’t be able to book any reservations or host any guests.”
In a message to all users a few months ago, CEO Brian Chesky wrote: “At the heart of our mission is the idea that people are fundamentally good and every community is a place where you can belong. We don’t say this because it sounds nice. It’s the goal that everyone at Airbnb works towards every day – because we’ve all seen how when we live together, we better understand each other.
“Discrimination is the opposite of belonging, and its existence on our platform jeopardises this core mission. Bias and discrimination have no place on Airbnb, and we have zero tolerance for them.
“Unfortunately, we have been slow to address these problems, and for this I am sorry. I take responsibility for any pain or frustration this has caused members of our community. We will not only make this right; we will work to set an example that other companies can follow.”
He added: “Beginning November 1, everyone who uses Airbnb must agree to a stronger, more detailed nondiscrimination policy. We aren’t just asking you to check a box associated with a long legal document.
“We’re asking everyone to agree to something we’re calling the Airbnb Community Commitment, which says: ‘We believe that no matter who you are, where you are from, or where you travel, you should be able to belong in the Airbnb community. By joining this community, you commit to treat all fellow members of this community, regardless of race, religion, national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or age, with respect, and without judgment or bias.’
“We’ll be implementing a new policy called Open Doors. Starting October 1st, if a Guest anywhere in the world feels like they have been discriminated against in violation of our policy – in trying to book a listing, having a booking canceled, or in any other interaction with a host – we will find that Guest a similar place to stay if one is available on Airbnb, or if not, we will find them an alternative accommodation elsewhere.
“This program will also apply retroactively to any Guest who reported discrimination prior to today. All of these Guests will be offered booking assistance for their next trip.”
He added: “These steps are just the beginning, not the end, of our efforts to combat bias and discrimination.
“While we as a company have been slow on this issue, I am now asking you the community to help us lead the way forward. Every time you make someone else feel like they belong, that person feels accepted and safe to be themselves. While this may sound like a small act of kindness, we are a community of millions of people strong. Imagine what we can do together.”
