Airbnb can now scan guests on social media for psychopathic tendencies

London, UK - August 01, 2018: The buttons of Airbnb, Kindle, eBay, Music and Twitter on the screen of an iPhone.
By Christian Fleetwood


Short-term rental giant Airbnb has developed technology that looks at guests’ online “personalities”.

It’s been more than a year since a patent for technology aimed at determining the “trustworthiness” and “compatibility” of people by Airbnb-owned tech company Trooly Inc was published in the US.

The software, built to screen potentially dangerous and unruly guests using the Airbnb app, allows the short-term rental company to flag and investigate suspicious activity.

But details of the capabilities of Airbnb’s “trait analyser” software specifically – which forms part of the company’s background check technology – have surfaced.

And online personalities play a part in whether we are deemed suitable as guests of Airbnb properties.

Moreover, according to the patent for the software, Airbnb is capable of scanning online sites, including social media, to determine traits against credit and identity checks and “secure third-party databases”.

According to multiple reports, these traits include conscientiousness and openness, as well as “neuroticism and involvement in crimes” and “narcissism, Machiavellianism, or psychopathy”, which are reportedly “perceived as untrustworthy”.

These form part of the process of forming a “trustworthiness score” by artificial intelligence, which is also impacted by a surplus of other factors, used to gauge whether the “personality” of a guest is compatible and suitable for renting a property.

In a statement, an Airbnb spokesperson confirmed it owns the patent, and told Travel Weekly Airbnb is always looking at “prospective” ways to improve trust on the platform and “reduce risk for our hosts and guests”.

“As with any other company, there are a number of patents we file, ranging from searching listings to automating booking availability, and it does not mean we necessarily implement all or part of what’s in them,” the spokesperson said.

According to Airbnb’s online statement on ‘Risk scoring’, every Airbnb reservation is scored for risk before it’s confirmed.

“We use predictive analytics and machine learning to instantly evaluate hundreds of signals that help us flag and investigate suspicious activity before it happens,” the company said.

Additionally, Airbnb says that it also runs hosts and guests against regulatory, terrorist, and sanctions watchlists.

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]