Airbnb recruits ex attorney general Eric Holder to combat widespread discrimination
Airbnb has risen to the challenge presented by discrimination by appointing former attorney general Eric Holder to help combat racial bias on the short term letting portal.
Citing discrimination as ‘the greatest challenge we face as a company’ Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky wrote in a blogpost that he was ‘fully conscious of the issue’ but conceded that there has sometimes been a ‘lack of urgency’ in dealing with it.
Holder, as America’s first black attorney general, is well placed to tackle bias on the service having openly commented on instances of racism he endured during his rise to the top.
In a statement he said: “I’m looking forward to working with Airbnb to develop and implement a world-class anti-discrimination policy. I’m eager to help them craft policies that will be the model for companies who share Airbnb’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.”
Airbnb has been forced to act in the wake of a series of scandals in which black people have complained about being snubbed for rentals. Other minority groups have also complained of discrimination including a high profile case in which a transgender woman was barred by one of Airbnb’s so-called ‘superhosts’.