They want my photograph

We opened a new bank account and they took our photo so that when we go in they don't need to go through loads of ID checks, brilliant!
Surely if you send a photo it is between you and the company, not publicly available on the internet. Just the same as giving them your name, address or card number?

We’ve used Airbnb a few times, I send them to my Facebook page, they also showed me their photo, on the last villa we booked the owner spotted us and recognised me from the photo and helped us to unload the car! I think they just need to check you are who you say you are, the houses that we have rented have all been ex family homes and are full of personal bits and pieces, much nicer than a bleak holiday Home, so if they want to check me out then that’s fine by me.

I've used Airbnb all over the world. I used my photo driving licence to verify that I am who I say I am. Have never had a problem at all. Its kept securely and is not used for other things. It's perfectly safe
I have a photograph of me on my profile so that when I turn up they know its me.
There has to be a level of trust from those who's house etc you are using.
Its a shame if you don't use airbnb because of this as have stayed in some wonderful homes.

My theory is that they let you book a few times without asking for ID, then say they want it and, as you've got used to using them, you just do it.
But I didn't.

My passport is out of date later this year, so I thought of sending a copy of that, just before it expires.

Followed this up today and they do want a Government issued photo, back and front. I have managed to contact the owner of the B and B and she is seeing why they won't accept the photo of me that I posted in the end, as her other visitors have not been asked for a Driving Licence or Passport.

I am very cautious Grannyactivist as I had all my credit cards and driving licence stolen from me in the café of M and S a couple of years ago and I was advised by my Bank to be extra cautious in any info I gave out about myself. I signed up to Experian who are supposed to contact me if someone is trying to falsify something in my name.

I gave them a photo, with no probs, but not so keen on giving them a copy of passport or driving licence.

Yes, I used them several times a few years ago with no need for ID.
Then they asked for it so I haven't used them again.

I guess a lot of people must be okay with it, tho.

I honestly can't understand what the problem is. Hosts are letting total strangers their property and want to be sure that the person who turns up is the one that has been verified - and the only sure way of doing this is to have a photograph. A close friend with young children is an Airbnb host; she has the security of knowing that the person who turns up is actually the one who booked.

Hi, I booked with airbnb once for a property in Europe and also had to provide a photo and also I think I had to prove I had a social media profile I think I had to share my facebook profile.. I think it was for security reasons to show that you really exist. I was a bit unsure about it as well but I checked the property and the airbnb host and all looked OK. In the end the property turned out to be just as described, and what we needed at a much cheaper price than a hotel.

I can understand being worried about providing a photo as I was unsure whether to do it , but we had no choice, we were visiting family who had just had a baby and all the hotels were out of our price range. If you do decide to book with them once you have been on holiday you could always delete your account.

I know a lot of people worry about posting photos but what are they actually worried about? What am I missing? If a criminal has my photo what can they do with it?

Send a copy of your passport photograph. If mine is anything to go by, it doesn't look anything like me!

We have booked with Airbnb. We had to provide a photo. I'm not keen on sharing photos with anyone else but we did it and all was OK.

Have done a couple of bookings via AirBnB and also was requested for a Photo, I just used my Facebook one. Was also asked to add a little about myself, as hosts are letting people into what if often their homes so may prefer to know something about them.
I did query why it was needed, and got the response that it was so the host was sure the person who booked was the person who turned up. Stops people booking for others and then saying they know nothing of damage, overcrowding etc.
Had one very good and one not so (buts thats a whole other story ?)

Yes that would make me hesitate too. I wonder if it’s been introduced to prevent some of the problem with unscrupulous folk having parties etc in AirBnB rentals and leaving them in poor condition. I did read this has been a problem in some places.

Thanks GQ just checked online and a whole load of disgruntled people have complained that they can only book through AirBnB with a photo. Well they are not having mine.

Thanks for responding.

I’ve used AirBnB for a European stay a couple of years ago and some of the family have used them in this country and also last year in South East Asia. I don’t think we were asked for a photo, is it worth checking their website to see if it’s either a new requirement across the board or just one peculiar to that particular owner?