Airbnb is going to stop revealing guests’ names on its platform until a booking request is confirmed, but the change is only going to be implemented in the state of Oregon.
The change stems from a lawsuit that was brought against Airbnb in 2019 by three Black women who lived in the Portland area. The lawsuit claimed by requiring guests to disclose their full names and photographs, Airbnb was allowing hosts to discriminate against Black users. That would be in violation of Oregon’s public accommodation laws.
In response to the lawsuit, in late December Airbnb announced that Oregon hosts would start seeing the initials of guests in place of their first name until a booking request is confirmed. Once confirmed, the guest’s name will then appear.
The changes are set to take effect Jan. 31 and remain in effect for at least two years.
https://thehill.com/changing-america/resilience/smart-cities/588036-n-one-state-airbnb-moves-to-stop-racial?fbclid=IwAR0yIy1qRKP62D4ekPiYQAKkeMNelSjkg2nbeZFoTpvTl9R59v4sHoXrg-M
