Airbnb customer banned over people they are 'closely associated with'
An Airbnb customer has hit out at a "sinister" ban from the company which "implied they were a CRIMINAL". The account was "suddenly terminated" because of someone the customer was "closely associated with", they claim.
Writing into the Guardian newspaper, the customer fumed: "I am a widow who booked an Airbnb for a family holiday. Months before the trip, I received an email from Airbnb informing me that my account will be terminated because I’m “closely associated” with someone who has been banned from the platform.
"I assumed it was a scam, but when I phoned Airbnb it confirmed that it was genuine and that I had seven days to appeal. I can’t imagine who this “close associate” can be and therefore can’t provide evidence for an appeal.
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"I am also bemused how Airbnb can link the information it has on me to this banned person, since my accompanying guests were not named on the booking, and I paid with my own credit card." Airbnb told the Guardian newspaper that the account was suspended as a “security precaution”.
In reply, a reader fumed: "This really is 1984 territory. Accusations based on information which they refuse to divulge the nature or origin. Information which they might share with other organisations. Is there no regulatory authority that this could be reported to, or are they just allowed to carry on and repeat it to some other innocent party?
"I certainly wouldn't use this company again and I'd paste what it has done on review sites." "Good grief, whatever happened to innocent until proved guilty? Or at the very least that one should be informed of what you are accused in order to respond before the sentence is handed out? Talk about dystopian!" another said.
“The guest’s account was temporarily suspended and reinstated within 24 hours as a security precaution, and their upcoming reservation was not impacted. We appreciate the concern this may have caused and our team has since provided further support to the guest, in addition to the assistance given at the time," Airbnb said.