Airbnb apologizes for slow response to discrimination complaints
Airbnb is introducing a new discrimination policy after complaints from black people that they are being unfairly treated.
A study last year found black people are less likely to get rooms on the homesharing site, leading to a backlash from users and activists.
The campaign gained momentum over the summer under the hashtag #AirbnbWhileBlack.
Many users said they had been told a particular listing was unavailable and had then seen the same place re-advertised on the dates they had requested.
This week Airbnb has unveiled a new policy to tackle discrimination, designed with the help of social justice group Color of Change.
It will see less prominence placed on photos and users being asked to sign an anti-discrimination agreement.
New technology will be introduced which means if hosts say a particular date is not available, they will not be able to offer the dates to different guests.
Airbnb staff will also receive anti-discrimination training.
In an email to users, chief executive Brian Chesky apologized for being slow to respond to the concerns.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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