Airbnb forces users to sign anti-discrimination pledge
The home-sharing platform Airbnb has warned users that beginning Nov. 1, they will not be able to host any guests or book reservations if they do not agree to an anti-discrimination pledge.
To continue using the platform, users must agree to the Community Commitment which states: "I agree to treat everyone in the Airbnb community — regardless of their race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age — with respect, and without judgment or bias."
According to the Airbnb website, users will be required to accept the commitment upon logging in. Those who decline the commitment will not be able to use the website and will be given an option to cancel their account.
The new regulation came after several reports surfaced that people using the platform have been rejected on the basis of sexuality of race.
Earlier this year, a man named Gregory Selden sued Airbnb for racial discrimination, claiming that he was rejected by a host based on his race.
Selden attempted to rent a place in Philadelphia but he was told the next morning that the space was unavailable. He was accepted when he tried renting the same space using two fake profiles showing pictures of white men.
In May 2015, a gay couple was rejected by a host who rented out a house in Galveston, Texas, after she discovered the sexuality of her guests. The host, identified only as "Heather," has been banned from the website.
The home-sharing website had hired former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to create an anti-discrimination policy.
Airbnb chief executive Brian Chesky noted that the fight against discrimination is "the greatest challenge we face as a company." He added that the company already has a non-discrimination policy but he wants to put a stronger one in its place.
Holder has expressed his eagerness to help the company in creating the policy.
"Airbnb is committed to building a community where everyone can belong. I'm eager to help them craft policies that will be the model for companies who share Airbnb's commitment to diversity and inclusion," he said in a statement.
