Airbnb Using Temporary Phone Numbers For Guests/Hosts? (US Only)

[Joan2709]

I stumbled across this today...

I had not heard of Airbnb using "temporary phone numbers" for Guests and Hosts in the USA? Anyone else aware? When did this start? 

I have noticed Guest phone numbers disappearing from all reservation details after checkout though?  Anyone else notice that?  The Call box is greyed out and the phone number removed. This seems to happen on every reservation detail after checkout. 🤔

Temporary Phone Numbers

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/3764

[Elisa]

Hi @Joan2709 😊, 

Thank you so much for sharing this incredible insight!

I’m tagging a few other hosts from the USA to see what they think about it: @New-Bern-Vacation-Rentals0, @Craig806, @Tara0, @Danielle1781, @Jayan38, @Jennifer3187 and @Lala89.

Warm regards, 🌻

[Jennifer3187]

I have not heard about this either. Seems like another step so that all communication can be monitored through Airbnb to deter offline convos.

[Joan2709]

@Jennifer3187 

The only problem I can see with this is many Hosts use the last 4-digits of the guest's  phone number for their smart lock door code. If this is a temporary "made up" number, then the Guest will be trying to input their actual last 4 of their real phone number and their door code won't work?

[Jennifer3187]

That's a great point! @Joan2709 

[Frances3408]

@Joan2709. Thanks for this post Joan. I wonder, has the US changed its privacy laws or Airbnb lost a spamming case recently? If anything they probably hold onto the data long after use, rather than hosts imo. I note that other platform still provides guest's personal email as well. I wonder how long that will last?

I am also wondering how well these temporary numbers work in an emergency. Our STR laws require that we are able to communicate with our guests at all times for any emergency evacuations such as bushfires and floods.

I always verify the booker's number and if coming from overseas require them to have an Australian based mobile number provided as many rely on internet only.

Thank goodness I dont choose the last 4 digits in my smart locks either- they are always randomly generated. 😉