Airbnb asking NEW YORK hosts to help the government to track people.

[Jonathon10]

Got an email today from Airbnb stating that I, a private citizen, should be making my guests complete a form from the government, to be submitted to the government... 

Did we all suddenly forget the 4th amendment to the constitution of these united states? 

 The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

[Debra300]

@Jonathon10,

For the past couple of years you have been operating your Airbnb business under under NYC law that already shares a lot of personal information with the city government:  https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/868/new-york-ny.

[Jonathon10]

I'm not on this list, bruh.  I have followed this story closely and this only applies to certain listings. 

[Sarah977]

@Jonathon10  How do you equate guests having to fill out a form (as they do in many other countries) with "unreasonable search and seizure"? 

[Ute42]

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@Jonathon10 @Sarah977 @Debra300 

Here in Germany we have a statelaw that requires all kinds of accomondations from hotels to airbnb places to have guests fill out a form at check-in and they have to show their government ID. We then have to submit these filled out forms to the local community.

In my listing description I state:

• Government ID required at check-in

If guests refuse to fill out the form and show their ID, they are checking out before they have checked into my place.

In 17 years of hosting noone ever refused this procedure.

[Helen3]

I can't believe you are complaining about a requirement to ask your guests to complete a track and trace form which could save their lives. @Jonathon10 

Coming from New York you know only too well the devastating impact of Covid - as you live in a  city where thousands lost their lives to it.

Why would you not want to do your bit to help halt the spread of the virus?

[Jonathon10]

Because I don't work for the government. 

Coming from THE UK.. I realize you have no concept of liberty or personal freedoms or the right to not have government be intrusive in your personal affairs. 

[Sarah977]

@Jonathon10 Your liberty and personal freedoms have nothing to do with getting guests to fill out a form if this is about keeping track of people for the purpose of preventing the spread of COVID. Your attitude is representative of why the US has the highest number of infections and deaths of any country on the planet. Your "personal freedoms" don't include risks to public health.

[Debra300]

@Jonathon10,

A paying guest at your place is not a private affair.  It's a business transaction that must follow government guidelines.  Before you say anything about me not understanding U.S. civil liberties, don't be fooled by the location listed with my profile.  I was born on a domestic U.S. Air Force Base, raised in a military town in California, my father is retired Air Force, and am also a military veteran.  

[Jonathon10]

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[Debra300]

@Jonathon10,

You're calling me names doesn't change the facts.  You are more than willing to use services that abide by government regulations and guidelines that provide you a platform to market your listings as long as it's filling your pockets, but proclaim it's an infringement upon your civil liberties or makes you an agent for the government when you are requested to provide contact details for your guests.

[Debra300]

@Ute42,

We just returned to St. Lucia, and all travelers are required to complete a St. Lucia Pre-arrival Travel Authorization Form, and present it and a negative COVID-19 test at the airport check-in, at the gate before boarding the plane, and upon arrival to the St. Lucia Immigration agent.

As returning residents, we'll be in a quarantine hotel for 10-14 days, and only allowed to go on our patio.  Visitors are taken to their all-inclusive resorts where they will have quarantine holidays, and not allowed to leave the resort's grounds.

[Ann72]

@Jonathon10  I love me a Constitutional amendment reference, but it doesn't strictly apply in this case.

Airbnb said you SHOULD collect this info.  Airbnb is not a government agency.  It's more like having your employer or business partner tell you you should do something.

[Jonathon10]

Yea, I know you yanks just love to follow whatever the government tells you to do like sheep. 

[Ann72]

@Jonathon10  Wait, what? All I said was that you don't have to do it!  Why do it when New York is already collecting the data before they get to your place?  Just say no, man.  It's just not a 4th amendment issue.