Airbnb Reveals Discrimination Against Blacks While Booking Rooms

(RTTNews) - Airbnb has said in a new report that black customers are less likely to get their reservations confirmed in comparison to white customers.

The company discovered that guests perceived to be Black were able to successfully book their stay 91.4 percent of the time, compared to 94.1 percent of guests perceived to be white. Other racial groups clocked in between the two figures.

"Airbnb is built on trust, and we will continue to innovate and design new products and initiatives that increase acceptance and combat bias," Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky said in a statement.

"Important insights, including data generated through Project Lighthouse, will drive our work to make Airbnb a place where everyone feels welcome," he added.

Airbnb said it prevented hosts beginning four years ago from seeing a guest's profile picture until after they accept their reservation, which the company said closed about one-fifth of the disparity.

The company announced a series of changes in conjunction with the data's release, including launching a written guide about inclusiveness for hosts, expanding analysis of when hosts reject reservations and making it easier for guests to receive reviews. The company partnered with a variety of civil rights groups in its effort, including the League of United Latin American Citizens and the NAACP.

"The NAACP has been calling on companies to do what is best for racial equity, and Airbnb has stepped up to provide answers," NAACP President Derrick Johnson said.