Please take note, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Despite facing loss of business no thanks to New York City government's aggressive insistence for the company to comply with tenant laws, Airbnb managed to win brownie points today for handling a sensitive issue with humor and diplomacy.
Buzzfeed said that it started with a listing published on the rental site's website by New York nightlife promoter and entrepreneur Daniel Nardicio. Nardicio is advertising rental for a "cute cabana on Fire Island for four," which is located in Cherry Grove. The listing seemed innocent enough, detailing that the rental includes 2 sets of bunk beds, airconditioning, and an outdoor shower and bathroom. The listing also boasted the location features of the listing, claiming that it ismerely steps from downtown or the nearby beach.
But the listing went a tad too far when Nardicio included a photo of two naked go-go boys taking a shower in the cabana. The boys's naked glory were saved with a couple of strategically-placed pieces of cloth, one for each of them, as they gaze sultrily to the camera.
When Airbnb found the listing, agent Kristi L of the Trust and Safety team wrote to Nardicio about taking down the photo.
Part of her letter read as follows, "Okay, now that we've gotten that official introduction out of the way, your (admittedly, mesmerizing for my tastes) photo for this listing: [link] has garnered more attention than may be warranted for the listing itself. I'm a writer of m/m erotica and was very, um, pleased to see your photo, but I think it may be just outside of our current realm in terms of general non-risqué photos for listings. Again, not saying that I personally didn't think it was captivating, but if you didn't mind putting up a photo less visually - compelling - while still keeping the verbiage, some of us will sigh with disappointment, but it will also fit more soundly in our Terms of Service."
She then continued and said, "If you didn't mind dropping me a line when you insert a different photo, I'd be grateful. Also, if you happen to know any friends with ringleted red hair, please let me know; my most recent writing submission could use a book cover. In all seriousness (and the book cover part was serious!), I'm so glad you're hosting with us, just want to ensure that the preliminary photos are showing more of the listing."
Nardicio has since submitted a cropped version of the photo in question, and told Buzzfeed that he appreciated Kristi's way of handling an otherwise sensitive situation.
The Airbnb issue came amid the demand for free speech. Bustle said that Bruce Willis' daughter, Scout, gained notoriety when she walked around New York City topless in protest of Instagram's policy regarding nudity. Her #FReeTheNipple campaign was born, and her sister Rumer joined in alongside other celebrities calling for revamp about social media companies' policies that purportedly hamper free speech.
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