Airbnb
Summary
Airbnb is an international vacation rental marketplace that allows users from all over the world to find places to vacation and stay. You just need to type in the location and preferences you desire, and you can book whenever you want. Next time you book a trip, try using Airbnb.
Breach History
Has there ever been a breach or data leak?
Date of last breach
September 2020
Airbnb faced scrutiny for a data breach that leaked accomodation hosts' data including personal phone numbers, passwords, and key access codes. The number of hosts affected were not known, but this has raised a lot of concern throughout the Airbnb community.
Privacy Checklist
Is any kind of biometric data collected (health, heart, voice, etc.)?
Are you able to delete your data / the data collected about you?
Does it use cookies, telemetry, or third-party tracking scripts?
Is the privacy policy user-friendly (easy to understand)?
Does it have parental controls?
Does it use encryption to protect your data both in-transit and at-rest?
Does it get regular software and / or firmware updates?
Does it require you to create a strong password?
Is there a system in place for managing security vulnerabilities?
Does it have a privacy policy?
How Can It Snoop?
Does it have a camera or request / require access to a camera?
Does it have a microphone or request / require access to a microphone?
Does it track your location or request / require access to location data?
Account Requirements
Does it require an email address to use?
Does it require a phone number to use?
Does it require an address (home or office) to use?
Payment Options
Are you able to use a credit card as a payment option?
Are you able to use a cryptocurrency as a payment option?
Are you able to use PayPal as a payment option?
Are you able to use cash or gift cards as a payment option?
What Could Go Wrong?
Airbnb checks and processes the owners of the property to ensure safety for the visitors. However, there is always a possibility that the hosts may be shady. Try to find the safest and best rated sites to stay at.
How Does It Share Your Data?
Airbnb states that they may share personal information to provide, measure, and improve advertisements and marketing.
Good Things
- Easy to use and convenient, Airbnb is growing in popularity.
Bad Things
- Always be aware of the host and the ratings before you book.
- Airbnb shares your information with third parties to provide better marketing and ads.
Final Thoughts
Airbnb is a popular and easy-to-use vacation rental service that is used globally. Customers must be wary about the information they share as Airbnb may share personal information for advertising and marketing purposes. Airbnb has also been the target of many breaches; the most recent of which resulted in hosts' personal information being leaked online. Be aware of this before using this website.