On June 6, 2024, Airbnb will implement a significant policy update, transitioning from the Extenuating Circumstances Policy to the Major Disruptive Events Policy. This change has not only caught the attention of guests and hosts but has also spawned a myriad of conspiracy theories.
Speculators ask, “What if Airbnb knew something that we do not?” echoing themes reminiscent of the 2012 movie where elites had foreknowledge of disasters. The inclusion of “government” in the new policy has particularly fueled these suspicions, suggesting that the company is preparing for undisclosed catastrophic events.
Unpacking the Conspiracy
Online platforms such as X and Reddit Conspiracy are abuzz with various theories suggesting that Airbnb’s update hints at government foreknowledge of impending disasters or societal upheavals.
Twitter user @sugarshack20 voices a common suspicion, questioning if the policy revision is in response to an undisclosed “event” in June. Such statements have led to rampant speculation about the reasons behind the precise timing of this policy update.
1. Insider Knowledge and Secrecy
Many people on social media suspect that Airbnb’s timing for the new policy suggests they might know about an upcoming disaster or major event that the public doesn’t. This suspicion reflects a common concern that corporations and governments might not always be transparent with the public.
From Nathan Wind on Twitter:
“Is this why AirBnB and other corporations are changing their terms of rebate etc due to ‘the event’ June 6 I think is a date mentioned also plenty of others are changing terms of service adding some kind of event.”
2. Connecting Dots with Pop Culture
Users are linking the policy change to specific dates and referencing popular culture, such as movies, to find patterns or hidden meanings. For instance, some noted that Airbnb’s change coincides with a significant date in the Airbnb disaster movie Leave the World Behind, executive-produced by former U.S. president Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama, which deepens their suspicion.
From a Reddit user discussing the Leave the World Behind movie and MLB game schedules:
“Not sure if anyone has mentioned it before, but while rewatching the movie, I paused it during the baseball game that is playing on the TV. The two teams playing are the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves… they play each other this season and one date stuck out. June 6th.”
3. Preparation for Crises
The discussions often focus on being prepared for emergencies like new government lockdowns or power outages, suggesting that the policy update is Airbnb’s way of getting ready for such events.
From Lilith on Twitter:
“Airbnb warns of upcoming travel restrictions and blackouts… It looks like new lockdowns and travel restrictions under whatever pretext are to be expected after June 6th.”
4. Numerology and Symbolism
Some reactions include interpretations of the policy update date using numerology or other symbolic meanings, seeing these as clues or hidden messages about future events.
On Reddit, discussing date symbolism:
“06/06/2+4.”
What is Airbnb’s new policy can help conspirationits fuel their buzz-making machines
Airbnb’s new policy mentions a few things that can trigger conspiracies, such as “Government-declared epidemics” and “government travel restrictions“. Having a COVID déjà-vu?
Here’s exactly what the revised policy says:
Declared emergencies and epidemics. Government declared local or national emergencies, epidemics, pandemics, and public health emergencies. This does not include diseases that are endemic or commonly associated with an area—for example, malaria in Thailand or dengue fever in Hawaii.
Government travel restrictions. Mandatory travel restrictions imposed by a governmental agency, such as an evacuation order. This does not include non-binding travel advisories and similar government guidance.
Is June 6, 2024 the new 2012?
The conspiracy theories surrounding Airbnb’s policy update in 2024 and the plot of the “2012” film share a common theme of secrecy and foreknowledge about catastrophic events. In both narratives, there is a suspicion that elite groups or corporations have information about impending disasters that the general public does not have access to.
In “2012,” the governments and certain elites are depicted as having advanced knowledge of Earth’s destruction, preparing for it by secretly constructing arks to save a select group of humans and species. This plot element reflects a deep-seated fear and suspicion toward authority figures and the belief that they may not always act in the public’s best interest.
Similarly, the speculation about Airbnb’s policy change suggests that some people believe the company, possibly in collaboration with governments, might be preparing for a major disruptive event that has not been disclosed to the public. This is further fueled by the inclusion of “government” in the policy and the precise timing of its implementation, which conspiracy theorists find suspicious and potentially indicative of insider knowledge.
Clarification of the Policy Change
Overview of the Actual Policy Update:
The Major Disruptive Events Policy aims to provide clear and specific guidelines for cancellations in the face of significant disruptions such as natural disasters, pandemics, or government-imposed restrictions. This update seeks to mitigate ambiguities that previously led to confusion and disputes over eligible cancellations.
Airbnb hosts who were active during the COVID crisis remember with dread how the company bypassed this Extenuating Circumstances Policy in March 2020 and let guests cancel any booking worldwide. So, a host-friendlier policy and clarifications are more than welcome from Airbnb.
Rationale Behind the Policy Update:
Airbnb introduced these changes to enhance clarity and fairness in handling reservations during unpredictable major events, aligning the policy with industry standards. The intent is to protect both hosts and guests by establishing predictable, understandable criteria for cancellations, thus fostering a more resilient hosting environment.
Response to the Conspiracy Theories
Airbnb’s Official Stance:
While Airbnb has not specifically addressed each conspiracy theory, their communications emphasize that the policy update is a response to past challenges and user feedback, not foreknowledge of specific future events. They aim to provide assurance and stability to their global community through clearer, more consistent policy standards.
The theories surrounding Airbnb’s policy update highlight a fascinating intersection of public policy, corporate strategy, and conspiracy culture. It also shows how big Airbnb’s brand power is, as a change in its policy can create (crazy) buzz on social media.
