Airbnb To Share Information With Authorities On Guests In China (gizmodo.co.uk)

Airbnb has notified users in China that, as required by law, their information will soon be automatically logged with the government. Bloomberg reports: This week, it sent an email to hosts declaring it may disclose their information at any time -- those with concerns were given a link to deactivate their listing. Airbnb -- which had previously resisted comparisons to what it calls the hotel cartel -- is abiding by Chinese regulations governing the lodging industry. Hotels there keep tabs on guests and are obliged to report their information to the authorities -- which in turn becomes a useful tool for surveillance. Airbnb's approach automates the process, so travelers' data is directly transmitted to the government.

"Like all businesses operating in China, Airbnb China must comply with local laws and regulations," said Airbnb spokesman Jake Wilczynski. "The information we collect is similar to information hotels in China have collected for decades." Previously, the onus was mostly on Airbnb hosts to submit passport and other required traveler information. The company said in its email to hosts that it will comply with requests from authorities for information when asked.

Comments

Re:Effective Chinese Government

[LynnwoodRooster]

No, it's because trials in China are NOT decided by a jury of your peers, but three Government-appointed judges. China has a massive taxation issue - it doesn't know how to collect income taxes, etc. very well at all, and even the VAT tax system between businesses is easy to game. China - being a fascist oligarchy which has 100% control over the Court system - simply arrests you and the presumption is guilt. And the number of people getting out of arrests without some form of punishment is essentially zero.

So if you're an AirBNB exec or employee, the LAST thing you want is your company to NOT play by the rules of China, because if you're ever found IN China, you stand a good chance of being arrested, tried, sentenced, and shipped off to prison - and it all happens in typically less than 3 weeks.

PS: If you want legal representation in a trial in China, you are 100% entitled to a Court-appointed defense attorney. You want your own, private defense attorney? You have to petition the Court for the right to do so, and there is no appeal if the Court decides you do not get your own private attorney. So you WILL end up with a Court-appointed underling who will simply plead for mercy/a light sentence because - obviously - you are guilty in the first place, or why would you have even been arrested?