United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Airbnb urged to investigate as hosts report privacy breach
Airbnb hosts are reporting they can see the private inboxes of other users as well as addresses and security codes.
Airbnb hosts commenting on Reddit, the US news discussion website, are reporting a series of worrying breaches happening within the Airbnb app allowing them to see the private inboxes of other users when they log in, including people’s names, addresses and the codes to their properties.
Airbnb hosts from France, the US and Canada have reported issues on the Reddit discussion thread.
One Airbnb host in the Reddit community wrote: "Happening to me as well. Just had another host call me and advise they have access to my account (wondering if I had access to theirs). Every time I refresh, it’s a new account/inbox – from Canada."
Another host wrote: "Same here on refreshing. I sent tons of screenshots to Airbnb to show them. When I saw the code to get in someone’s house they were messaging to a guest, that really bothered me. I should NEVER be able to see that. Big breach of security.
The issue appears to be occurring worldwide.
Ray Walsh, Digital Privacy Expert at ProPrivacy, is calling on Airbnb to launch a full investigation to ascertain how and why it occurred.
"It seems clear that the leak is going to cause a lot of upheaval for Airbnb hosts, who will need to update the codes to their homes in order to secure them and ensure they are not potentially at risk of burglary," said Walsh.
He added: "Early reports appear to indicate that Airbnb is telling hosts to clear their cookies in order to fix the problem. This is not a suitable response because the onus should not be on consumers to fix Airbnb’s mistake."
TravelMole has asked Airbnb for a comment.
Related News Stories:
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled