Airbnb has permanently banned white supremacists and other fringe political groups from using its travel booking and services, according to The Verge, following a violent protest over the weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia, that killed one and injured 19.
“The violence, racism and hatred demonstrated by neo-Nazis, the alt-right, and white supremacists should have no place in this world,” Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said in a statement obtained by The Verge. “Airbnb will continue to stand for acceptance, and we will continue to do all we can to enforce our community commitment.”
The company was proactive about removing users and shutting down multiple accounts ahead of the planned “Unite the Right” protest after employees were made aware of white nationalists and neo-Nazis attempting to coordinate lodging and locations for after parties in the area. Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk reportedly told Bloomberg TV that the groups violate the company’s terms of service.
“We make every one of our users sign a pledge when they sign up that they will not discriminate and exhibit hatred,” he said. “Whenever we become aware of such examples they are permanently banned from platform.”
Airbnb isn’t the only technology company to push away white supremacy. The neo-Nazi site Daily Stormer was forced to relocate to Google’s registrar after GoDaddy banned it from using theirs. Google announced plans on Tuesday to follow suite.
This article was featured in the InsideHook newsletter. Sign up now.
