Update on Anti-Discrimination

Airbnb’s mission is to create a world where anyone can belong anywhere and we are always working to fight bias and discrimination. In 2016, Airbnb publicly committed to take steps to combat bias and discrimination by requiring all users to accept a non-discrimination pledge and creating a permanent anti-discrimination team focused on enhancing enforcement standards and making product improvements. We have made strides and are committed to continuous review and improvements to ensure our community is diverse and inclusive.

Today, we are pleased to announce that Airbnb and plaintiffs Ebony Price and Carlotta Franklin have reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought in Oregon in 2017 alleging that Airbnb’s policies potentially allowed its hosts to discriminate and deny accommodation to African Americans by using guests’ photographs and full names to review reservation requests. Plaintiffs are represented by attorney Nick Kahl and Stoll Berne attorneys Joshua Ross and Yoona Park.

In October 2018, Airbnb announced that it would no longer display guest profile photos to hosts prior to the acceptance of a booking request by a host. As part of the settlement announced today, Airbnb has agreed to continue its commitment to this change. In addition, Airbnb has agreed to review and update the way profile names are displayed to hosts as part of the booking process.  

We are pleased that Airbnb worked collaboratively with us to find real solutions to address the concerns raised by the lawsuit.  The changes Airbnb has agreed to implement will ultimately reduce, and hopefully someday eliminate, discrimination on the platform.  Airbnb can be proud to serve as a model for other businesses operating in the shared economy.”

Josh Ross of Stoll Berne, counsel for plaintiffs