Airbnb is stepping up its efforts to prevent unauthorized parties this holiday season. The company announced plans to deploy “anti-party technology” to block potentially disruptive bookings ahead of New Year’s Eve. Using machine learning, the platform will evaluate reservations for high-risk behavior, flagging bookings that could turn into raucous gatherings.
The technology assesses multiple factors, such as trip length, proximity of the listing to the guest’s location, and timing of the booking. For instance, a two-night reservation made shortly before New Year’s Eve may trigger the system’s safeguards. In such cases, Airbnb could block the reservation entirely or redirect users to more suitable accommodations.
This initiative spans several countries, including the US, Puerto Rico, Canada, the UK, France, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand. To secure a whole-home listing in these areas, guests will need to stay for more than three days and agree to a mandatory “anti-party attestation.”
Airbnb’s crackdown on parties isn’t new. The company first began addressing the issue in 2019 after a fatal shooting at a California rental. By 2020, it banned all parties outright and has since refined its approach with tools like noise sensors to help hosts manage disturbances. According to Airbnb, its system blocked over 74,000 attempts to book entire homes for parties globally in 2023 alone.
For those planning a New Year’s Eve bash, Airbnb’s measures might force a change in plans. The platform’s commitment to safety and community standards means party-goers will need to think twice before booking a house to host their celebrations.
While Airbnb’s commitment to safety is commendable, these strict measures might frustrate responsible renters planning modest celebrations. Striking a balance between preventing disruptions and enabling flexibility for users remains a challenge. Whether these efforts will significantly deter party-goers or simply push them toward other rental platforms remains to be seen.
