As cities and municipalities around the world prepare to welcome 2024, Airbnb has announced that it will, for another year, strengthen restrictions to prevent unauthorized New Year's Eve parties, this time employing technology based on artificial intelligence (AI).
This patented AI-based, machine learning-based technology against unauthorized parties is being rolled out in several countries and regions around the world, Airbnb said in a statement.
"This automated system analyzes booking attempts for those dates - especially those for one, two, and three nights in entire accommodations - and if it detects any risk of an unauthorized party, it proceeds to block them.".
The world's most popular short-term rental platform explains that its technology analyzes hundreds of signals that could indicate a booking has a higher risk of being affected by such incidents, such as the duration of the trip, the distance between the accommodation and the guest's location, the type of space selected, and whether it is a last-minute booking, among many other variables.
“Regarding how we use AI, we’re focused on taking an approach that allows us to implement this technology in a way that benefits hosts, guests, and local neighborhoods alike. We’re confident that these measures will have a positive impact on the various communities where they’ll be implemented this New Year’s Eve,” said Naba Banerjee, Director of Trust and Safety at Airbnb
According to information published by Airbnb, the measures will be in effect in several regions and countries, including Spain, the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and New Zealand, where the following restrictions will be implemented:
- Restrictions on bookings of one to three nights – AI-based technology will block bookings of entire accommodations for a period of between one and three nights that are identified as high risk of unauthorized parties occurring.
- Mandatory declaration against unauthorized parties – Guests who are able to make reservations must confirm that they understand that Airbnb prohibits unauthorized parties and that, if they break this rule, they risk being suspended or removed from the platform.
Successful model
Airbnb's statement maintains that the measures implemented by the platform in 2022 to prevent unauthorized parties prevented thousands of people worldwide from booking entire accommodations on the platform.
It adds that in Spain, approximately 8,050 guests were blocked or redirected when trying to book on Airbnb for New Year's Eve. Among them were approximately 1,000 guests in Madrid, 1,000 in Barcelona, 480 in Valencia, 170 in Seville, and 150 in Malaga.
Furthermore, since Airbnb first introduced preventative measures for New Year's Eve in 2020, the platform has seen a 92% decrease in incidents in Spain during this period, it adds.
"Unauthorized parties on Airbnb are rare, and these efforts complement existing measures and resources to encourage responsible travel on the platform and support compliance with the global party ban, which include:
- Reservation control, in effect year-round globally.
- A free noise sensor for hosts, as part of a collaboration with the real estate technology company Minut.
- The neighborhood helpline for local communities in Spain, where they can report urgent problems, such as a party in progress in a home they believe may have been booked through Airbnb.
- A 24-hour protection line, so that guests and hosts can contact the company's security team directly for help, such as reporting a party and tips for hosts to learn how to prevent parties on their properties.
