Airbnb wil reactivate its anti-party system for Memorial Day, July 4 weekends

By The Star Staff

Airbnb will reactivate its anti-party system during Memorial Day and July 4 weekends as part of its efforts to prevent disruptive events at rental properties in Puerto Rico and the United States, the company said Wednesday.

In 2024, about 560 attempts to book entire accommodations in Puerto Rico were blocked or redirected by the technology, as part of a total of 51,500 blocks across the United States during both holiday weekends.

Airbnb’s anti-party technology seeks to identify and block one- or two-night bookings in entire accommodations that pose a high risk of unauthorized parties. The system considers variables such as the type of property, length of stay, proximity to the guest and whether the reservation is made at the last minute.

“We are committed to working to reduce risk and help hosts promote positive experiences in their homes and local neighborhoods,” the platform said in a written statement.

In addition to the blocking system, Airbnb offers a neighborhood support line, a direct channel for authorities, free noise sensors for hosts, and a 24-hour security line. The company also recently trained members of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau in the use of the Communication Portal with Law Enforcement Authorities.

Since 2020, when Airbnb globally banned parties, reports of this type of activity have decreased by more than 50% in the United States. In 2024, less than 0.06 percent of bookings on the platform resulted in a party report.