Comment by AshMokhberi | Hacker News Reader

Comment by AshMokhberi | Hacker News Reader

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It really gets on my nerves when I see cases like this and the responses that follow. As you have pointed out, you have no special skills to be able to recognise con artists or criminals. As this is the case with most people, how would having further private information on the guest help you to make a different judgement.

Unless we start talking criminal background checks, you are no safer than before. If anything it gives a false sense of security, which might make you less likely pursue further avenues of safeguarding. Of course criminal background checks are a completely stupid idea. I'm sure many good natured people would be hesitant to put this level of info in the hands of someone they don't know.

The truth is though even criminals can get credit cards, debit cards and any other method of verification you can think of. So that info doesn't really help. Worse still they can use fraudulent information just as easily. What do you do now? You also have to remember those opportunistic types, you know the person who has never really done anything wrong, but for whatever reason at that moment they are compelled to break the law or behave in a manner they normally wouldn't.

In a society that is mostly good, we have the police the courts, the law and prisons, to deal with bad people. You can not really on airbnb to provide you with a definitive solution to this problem, if they did then they should be running the country. Nor should you expect them to put systems in place that violate the rights of the majority, or systems that provide a false sense of security. The best they can ever do is provide you with support and advice on preventative measures.

Your safety should still be your top concern. You should not be relying on another to provide it for you.

Your safety should still be your top concern. You should not be relying on another to provide it for you.

I'm sorry, but I find these type of comments useless. So you're saying there's nothing AirBnB could do and there's no need for them to worry about it, so we can just end the conversation right now?

I think the point that was made was that there is an inherent asymmetry in that the guest can remain more anonymous than the host. Since the guest is more anonymous, there are less incentives to don't do stupid stuff as you can more likely avoid repercussions.

I interpreted the suggestion as thinking of ways to hold the guest more accountable. Maybe by having a verified bank account? Maybe a credit card held for long enough that it's reasonably not stolen (though could still be a stolen identity).

And yes, of course any system can be circumvented by a sufficiently motivated individual. But, like with locking your front door, it's about making it complicated enough that it's not worth it given the reward.

* Nor should you expect them to put systems in place that violate the rights of the majority*

This makes no sense. How exactly would AirBnB violate anyone's rights? It's a voluntary service you can use if you so desire.

`So you're saying there's nothing airBnB could and there's no need to worry about it`

No I said

`The best they can ever do is provide you with support and advice on preventative measures.'

AirBnB should worry about the who-har going on in the media yes. About the crimes committed to an individual, bluntly no. Not beyond a empathy, support and goodwill. The rest is for the police and courts to deal with.

`And yes, of course any system can be circumvented by a sufficiently motivated individual...it's about making it complicated enough that it's not worth it given the reward.`

Hmmmm prison is the known punishment, if that isn't enough to stop people, my guess is knowing their name isn't going to deter them either.

* Nor should you expect them to put systems in place that violate the rights of the majority*

`This makes no sense. How exactly would AirBnB violate anyone's rights?`

By putting in requirements for overly intrusive personal information. To satisfy the rants of an irrational mob.

`It's a voluntary service you can use if you so desire.`

That is true, so while the irrational mob thinks that it's a good idea as a response to a bad individual. In practice, when confronted with handing over such information they will be less than eager to comply. For that reason it marks a very bad business decision for AirBnB.

The best suggestion I have heard is that AirBnB should look at providing some form of insurance policy to Hoteliers/Guests.

They have already stated that they are ramping up customer service and providing support areas on the AirBnB site.

Don't forget that the problem of criminal activity is not one way. It is not only criminals who can attack Hoteliers. The reverse is also true, and it is far more dangerous for a person to give their home address, name, telephone number etc, to someone posing as a hotel.

If your booking a hotel it's an irrelevant argument, it's a matter of fact that you need to know the address, telephone number and point of contact for where your staying.

Please think rationally....

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