(Photo Source: mashvisor.com)
Private Facebook groups under investigation
It is not the best feeling when you find out your Airbnb host has been talking smack and sharing inappropriate photos of you on Facebook.
Not too long ago, thousands of short-term rental hosts listed on Airbnb and Vrbo have been reported to be using closed Facebook groups to gossip about their guests, and share guests’ personal information and photos, according to screenshots collected by travel site Skift.
The report identified two groups on Facebook: “Airbnb Guests Blacklist” and “Airbnb Host Community — Vent, Recommend, and Discuss.” The groups were intended to warn other hosts about they found to be annoying, however, the venting eventually turned into invasions of privacy.
Hosts began posting photos and names of guests they did not like, and even shared guests’ sexual activities and sexual orientation. A Facebook spokesperson confirmed that the social media platform has taken down the “Airbnb Guests Blacklist” group for violating its terms of use. Both groups are currently under investigation.
An Airbnb spokesperson also spoke on the situation, telling Business Insider that it will take action if it finds that the posts violate Airbnb’s community standards. As part of the Airbnb policy, it is against its standards for hosts to expose guests’ personal information.
By: Maytinee Kramer
