With Halloween just days away, Airbnb is ramping up efforts to prevent raucous house parties that can leave property owners footing the bill for damage. The company announced it’s deploying its “advanced anti-party technology” across the United States and Canada.
It’s an automated system that flags and blocks suspicious bookings before they’re confirmed.
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How the technology works
Airbnb’s system analyzes factors including trip length, proximity to the renter’s home, property type and timing of the reservation.
Short, last-minute stays booked by locals often raise red flags. When detected, Airbnb automatically blocks those reservations. In some cases, it offers safer alternatives, such as private-room rentals where the host is present.
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Airbnb has specifically used its anti-party technology for the last four years. Since its introduction, the company says it has seen a 50% decrease in the number of parties reported.
The origins of the policy
CNBC reports Airbnb introduced its party ban after a deadly 2019 shooting at a Halloween party inside a rented home in Orinda, California, where five people were killed. The company called the tragedy a turning point and vowed to eliminate “party houses” from its platform.
Since then, Airbnb says it has worked to “combat unauthorized parties and get rid of abusive host and guest conduct” through new technology and stricter enforcement.
Results so far
Last Halloween, Airbnb says it blocked more than 38,000 high-risk booking attempts in the U.S. and more than 6,000 in Canada.
The company says the system has significantly reduced large, disruptive gatherings and property damage incidents.
Third-party booking warning
Airbnb is also reminding users not to make reservations for someone else — a loophole that has led to unauthorized parties in the past.
Parents, grandparents or other adults who book on behalf of younger renters may face penalties if a property is misused.
Breaking the rules has consequences
Airbnb warns violators could face account suspensions, permanent bans and financial liability for any damages.
The company says the measures are meant to keep both hosts and neighborhoods safe — and to ensure Halloween celebrations stay under control.
