Airbnb activates anti-Halloween party system

By THE STAR STAFF

Airbnb announced Thursday it will activate its anti-party system during Halloween weekend in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada to prevent unauthorized activities in accommodations and protect both hosts and local communities.

The system, which uses machine learning technology, evaluates factors such as reservation duration, distance between the guest and the accommodation, property type, and last-minute requests to identify and block high-risk bookings.

“Booking attempts with a potential party risk will be blocked, and guests can opt for alternative accommodations, such as private rooms where the host is more likely to be present,” the company said in a written statement.

According to platform data, last year some 38,000 people in the United States and 260 in Puerto Rico were discouraged from booking entire accommodations during the Halloween season. Since Airbnb implemented its global ban on parties in 2020, complaints about such events have decreased by more than 50% worldwide.

Airbnb also reminded users that third-party bookings, where someone books for another person without actually staying at the property, are prohibited on the platform.

“Parents and grandparents should not put their accounts or vacations at risk by booking for someone else,” the company warned.

It also stated that guests must be at least 18 years old and that minors must be accompanied by a registered adult.

The company reiterated that violating these policies may result in the suspension or cancellation of the user’s account, as well as financial liability for damages incurred during the stay. Airbnb urged users to protect their accounts, verify reservations, and contact customer support if they encounter any suspicious activity.