Post by High Priestess on Oct 25, 2018 9:14:20 GMT
Airbnb recently announced a policy change, -- in order to combat claims of discrimination on the site, they will no longer allow hosts to see the guest photo before the guest books a reservation with the host. And then, once the guest books, host will only see the photo if they have specifically requested to see the photo, and if guest has chosen to provide one, which they dont' have to do:
thinkprogress.org/airbnb-changes-photo-policy-combat-racial-discrimination-4f71c375553a/
press.airbnb.com/update-on-profile-photos/
This is a bad policy, driven by our national obsession over discrimination issues.
People have a right to screen guests who will be staying in their private home, and seeing a photo of someone is part of that screening process. As I've mentioned many times before, when this issue has arisen, photos provde assistance to those with decent intuitive skills, in being able to assess character. Seeing a guest with a smiling, open face -- or just an open face, if not a smile -- is very helpful. Hosts already have very little information about prospective guests inquiring to stay in their homes -- we dont' know their last names, we don't have previous rental history or landlord references (which could be important for those offering long stay bookings) and we dont' have any references at all. We MIGHT see past reviews, but some guests are new and have no reviews. Particularly for those of us allowing guests to book a long stay, this is a very sketchy basis on which to allow a long term rental, particularly when there's no photo to assist the screening process.
thinkprogress.org/airbnb-changes-photo-policy-combat-racial-discrimination-4f71c375553a/
press.airbnb.com/update-on-profile-photos/
This is a bad policy, driven by our national obsession over discrimination issues.
People have a right to screen guests who will be staying in their private home, and seeing a photo of someone is part of that screening process. As I've mentioned many times before, when this issue has arisen, photos provde assistance to those with decent intuitive skills, in being able to assess character. Seeing a guest with a smiling, open face -- or just an open face, if not a smile -- is very helpful. Hosts already have very little information about prospective guests inquiring to stay in their homes -- we dont' know their last names, we don't have previous rental history or landlord references (which could be important for those offering long stay bookings) and we dont' have any references at all. We MIGHT see past reviews, but some guests are new and have no reviews. Particularly for those of us allowing guests to book a long stay, this is a very sketchy basis on which to allow a long term rental, particularly when there's no photo to assist the screening process.