It is a bit disappointing that despite how far we’ve come in terms of technology that we are still sometimes a bit backwards in society by discriminating others based on aspects that sometimes other people have no control over. While we can’t fix the whole of society just yet, Airbnb wants to do their part with a new nondiscrimination policy.
The service had previously planned to introduce such a policy to hosts and it looks like it will now be coming into effect. Starting from the 1st of November, all Airbnb users who plan to host guests will be required to agree to a nondiscrimination policy. Hosts will also have to agree to the Airbnb Community Commitment.
This commitment reads, “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.” The implementation of the new policy follows multiple reports in the past in which hosts have been found to have turned guests away or cancelled bookings due to their race and even their sexuality.
Whether or not this new policy will have a positive effect remains to be seen. After all hosts can agree to the policy, but find ways and reasons to discriminate against guests, but we reckon it’s still a pretty good effort all the same.