Airbnb Joins Tech Against Terrorism as First Sharing Economy Member

Airbnb today announced our membership to Tech Against Terrorism, an initiative launched by the United Nations supporting the global tech sector in addressing online terrorist activity. 

Tech Against Terrorism will partner with Airbnb and others in the global tech sector to share best practice (policy, guidelines, learning materials, practical workshops, and tools) within the tech industry and across the private, public, and civil society sectors. We are proud to be the first sharing economy platform and the first travel company to join this initiative. 

“Tech Against Terrorism’s collaboration with technology platforms to tackle terrorist activty online and offline is more important than ever before,” said Tara Bunch, Airbnb’s Global Head of Operations. “This partnership will help advance our shared vision of a safer internet for everyone.” 

Since 2016, all Airbnb users have been required to agree to abide by our Community Standards, which state that “Members of dangerous organizations, including terrorist, organized criminal, and violent racist groups, are not welcome in this community.”  

The following year, when we became aware that members of known hate groups were planning to book Airbnb listings in Charlottesville for the Unite the Right rally, we took action to remove these individuals from our community. More recently, as reports emerged of armed militias and known hate groups traveling to the capital to disrupt the US Presidential Inauguration – and based on input from local host community as well as Washington, D.C. officials, Metro Police and Members of Congress – we canceled reservations in the D.C. metro area during the week of the Inauguration. 

Together with Tech Against Terrorism, we look forward to continuing our work to strengthen our defenses – and we share in their commitment to taking on this important issue that touches every corner of the globe.