Airbnb to pass on guest info to Chinese authorities

Friday, March 30, 2018

Airbnb Inc. has planned to make things easier for Chinese authorities to keep a tab on tourists visiting the country.

This home-sharing company is thinking about sharing guest information including booking dates and passports, directly with the Chinese government.

This week it had sent an email to hosts announcing that it is likely to disclose their information at any point of time and those with concerns were offered a link to deactivate their listing.

Airbnb has decided to abide by Chinese regulations that govern the lodging industry.

Hotels in the country generally keep track of their guests and are obliged to report their information to the authorities as it turns out into a powerful surveillance tool to the authorities.

This approach of Airbnb automates the process so that the data of travelers is directly transmitted to the government.

A spokesman of Airbnb, Jake Wilczysnki has mentioned that just like all business operating in China, Airbnb China needs to comply with the local laws and regulations.

Previously, Airbnb hosts had to submit passport and other relevant traveler information.

Currently the company has mentioned in its email to hosts that it would have to comply with requests from authorities for information whenever they are asked.

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