Airbnb is rolling out new screening tools to stop parties

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Category: Technology/Innovations

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. would-be / ˈwʊdˌbi / (adj.) – describing someone who wants to be or is trying to become a particular type of person
    Example:

    I like reading tips for would-be mothers.


  2. roll out (something) / roʊl aʊt / (phrasal v.) – to introduce a new feature, product, service, etc. by making a public announcement
    Example:

    We’re set to roll out a new cellphone line.


  3. listing / ˈlɪs tɪŋ / (n.) – an item included in a list of information
    Example:

    I regularly check job listings online.


  4. clamp down on (something) / klæmp daʊn ɒn / (phrasal v.) – to take firm action to stop a harmful activity
    Example:

    The government is clamping down on the sale of illegal drugs.


  5. cast / kæst / (v.) – to put forth
    Example:

    Many companies cast a temporary work-from-home policy when the pandemic happened.


Article

Read the text below.

Airbnb says it will use new methods to spot and block people who try to use the short-term rental service to throw a party.


The company said it has introduced technology that examines the would-be renter’s history on Airbnb, how far they live from the home they want to rent, whether they’re renting for a weekday or weekend, and other factors.


Airbnb said the screening system that it is rolling out for listings in the United States and Canada has been tested since last October in parts of Australia, where it produced a 35% drop in unauthorized parties.


The San Francisco-based company said the technology is designed to prevent a customer’s request for reservation from ever reaching the host of the property involved. Airbnb said people blocked from renting an entire home might be able to book a single room because the host is more likely to be around.


Airbnb has been under growing pressure to clamp down on parties since 2019, when a Halloween house party in a San Francisco suburb ended with five people dead in a shooting.


The following year, Airbnb announced a worldwide party ban at its listings and banned people under 25 from renting an entire house near their home unless they had a record of positive reviews on the site. The party ban was initially cast as a temporary health measure during the pandemic but was made permanent in June.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Airbnb’s going to use a system to block would-be customers who don’t follow their policy. However, many businesses follow the principle “customer is king.” If you were a business owner, would you follow the said principle or would you do what Airbnb is doing? Why? Discuss.
  • Do you think Airbnb’s system will be able to fully prevent unauthorized parties? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Airbnb is a popular online booking platform wherein travelers can rent other people’s houses and rooms. It functions much like a hotel. Why do you think some customers prefer Airbnb to hotels? Discuss.
  • What do you think are the cons of renting an Airbnb listing? Discuss.