I’ve been searching for this thread for months and believe me it wasn’t easy to find. I’m pleased to know there is another host out there with heavy discernment and able to take the blinders off to see that Airbnb has become very intrusive & borderline predatory for host private information.
I planned to create a post discussing this but in my experience on these boards, there’s a bot like response mentality from hubris users that is filled with sarcasm, rejection to truth, dismissiveness and at times outright rudeness.
There are also supportive, intelligent & kind hearted people here who are able to demonstrate their caring spirit in responses, but they can get drowned out by the other types.
I just want to validate your concerns. The platform HAS went too far with the questions. It’s not small stuff so sweating it or giving attention to it is good. It means you’re aware and not easily deceived just to go along to get along for money or whatever we get from Airbnb..
And yes, because I refuse to participate in their data phishing like telling them the brands of my televisions, the position of my sofa from the window (my goodness) and the exact speed / company of my internet & so much more, my account has suffered somewhat.
Hosts who have their own minds and do not easily succumb to new age tech information abuse tactics will be penalized by having their listing reach thwarted.. They even tell you that sharing those details will rank us higher in the search. So it’s not a long shot to believe that the reverse is true.
I do not like what the platform has become where this is concerned and I don’t think it’s changing. And why would they have to when a chunk of their users choose to stay in denial? Abusers never improve, only worsen and become more clever.
They hv added a new level above Superhost that is now called Guest Favorite. They are constantly conditioning, controlling and brainwashing hosts to chase more carrots. When I saw that I knew I’d either be leaving soon, or definitely trying other platforms & no longer staying exclusive to this site.
It’s mind boggling to know that many big tech companies have been sued and penalized for phishing, lying, abuse, and selling user data… yet people think Airbnb (Brian Chesky to be clear) is not.
You’re right.
Those intrusive questions are not there for guest / host experience, and the proof is in the fact that the entire platform is remarkably worst than it was 7 years ago. Very little is done that improves the experience for hosts or guests.
It is becoming some kind of heavily controlled, new world order spy, similar to Whole Foods & their offensive camera eyes at the self checkout - projecting your own face back to you.
Keep up the good fight Valerie. Your privacy is important and I respect & agree with your concerns.. This post was buried so deep I couldn’t find it for months! I can’t believe it was written in July of this year. I had to Google many different terms to finally pull up this concern.
hv a great day & happy hosting for as long as possible before it becomes some sort of oppressive dystopia..Just because I open my home doesn’t mean I want to tell you all my business & I won’t.
