Airbnb wanting passport details

kjmpde

I have been asked to provide either my passport or driving licence details to Airbnb to book a holiday. As we are all told to be careful about sharing sensitive material as ID theft is increasing, I will not do that. No other holiday provider asks for this (correct me if I am wrong). So why does Airbnb need this? 

marcia_

 No idea why they would need it but it's not something I would give to a stranger. Have you asked why they need it? 

tacpot12

Proof of identity. They have had too many fraudulent bookings. 

MalMonroe

I don't think it's unreasonable. The air bnb owners don't know you. And that's fine for you but from their point of view, you are someone who is going to be living in their property and they need to have some form of ID so they can trace you if you cause any damage and then disappear into the ether.

There are cases of ID theft, yes but someone who owns an air bnb wanting to check that potential customers are bona fide is not out of the ordinary.

TBagpuss

It is Air BnB which takes the details, they don't share them with the 'host', they just confirm to the host that they have verified your ID. 
AirBnB have to comply with Data Protection regulations in how they hold information. 

CKhalvashi

I believe Airbnb want the details, likely not the host. They will just confirm to the host that they've seen your documents.

If this is accommodation in the UK, EU/EEA or certain other countries (Balkans and the EPP project partners have implemented most of the provisions), even if it is the accommodation there are strict bounds under GDPR regulations meaning your details are very unlikely to be misused.