- The Washington Times - Thursday, September 8, 2016

Homeowners who rent out rooms via the popular Airbnb app will soon be required to abide by a non-discrimination policy that covers a range of protected classes, including “gender identity,” Reuters reported Thursday.

“Starting Nov. 1, Airbnb users must agree to treat fellow members without bias regardless of race, religion, national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or age,” said the news wire.

“Bias and discrimination have no place on Airbnb, and we have zero tolerance for them,” Reuters quoted Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky from an email to the app’s users. “Unfortunately, we have been slow to address these problems, and for this I am sorry.”

The company is additionally rolling out changes in its platform designed to discourage users who rent accommodations from discriminating against potential boarders, Reuters reported, attributing the changes in part to reported instances of alleged racial discrimination on social media, particularly a hashtag on Twitter, #AirbnbWhileBlack.

Reaction to the San Francisco-based company’s announcement from activists using the hashtag was generally positive.

“Glad to hear that @Airbnb has taken active steps to reduce discrimination on its platform. #AirbnbWhileBlack,” tweeted @Nadia1977.

“AirBnB takes steps in rt direction, but transparency will be key to gaining trust. #AirBnBWhileBlack #ReleaseTheData,” tweeted Rachel Goodman a staff attorney with the ACLU’s Racial Justice Program.

But for some, Airbnb still hadn’t earned their trust.

“Before I read this……. YEAH F—G RIGHT,” complained one woman, linking to a story about the company’s policy changes. Minutes later, she was still skeptical. “So let’s not let hosts see my black ass in the first place? THIS is their master plan? #AirbnbWhileBlack.”

 

 

 

 

• Ken Shepherd can be reached at kshepherd@washingtontimes.com.

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