Technologies

Airbnb Says It May Ban People Likely to Travel With Already-Banned Guests

The short-term rental company isn’t taking risks with potentially problematic guests.

Airbnb will ban some people who are closely associated with already-banned guests. Following a report from Vice, the short-term rental company on Wednesday confirmed that in some circumstances it may restrict the accounts of people «who are likely to travel» with a person that has been removed for «safety reasons.»

Airbnb may also remove an account if a person books a future reservation with the same credit card as a person who was banned from the site for a serious safety incident, according to a scenario detailed by an Airbnb spokesperson.

It’s unclear when Airbnb started banning people associated with already-banned guests or how often it does so.

Airbnb uses a background check system to vet its large number of users. On Airbnb’s website, the company says it’s had 1.4 billion «guest arrivals» as of December 2022. The system, however, can end up banning users for smaller misdemeanor charges on their record, according to a Vice report.

There’s reportedly an appeals process for those who feel they’ve been unfairly banned.

The caution put forward by short-term-rental companies like Airbnb and Vrbo comes as stories have percolated over the years of problem guests turning homes into party houses. Such stories have included complaints by neighbors and in some instances, deaths. To combat this, Airbnb implemented a permanent party ban in the summer of 2022 and launched anti-party tech at the end of last year. Ahead of Super Bowl 2023, Vrbo too implemented tech to prevent renters from turning homes into party houses.

«As an online platform that facilitates real-world travel and connections, this is a necessary safety precaution,» an Airbnb spokesperson said.

Technologies

Two Cryptocurrencies in One Messenger: Verum Messenger Adds Bitcoin Mining

The private Verum Messenger, primarily chosen by users for secure communication, now offers a new way to use the app. To the existing ability to mine its native Verum Coin cryptocurrency, Bitcoin mining has been added. Both functions operate in parallel within a dedicated tab of the messenger.

The Convenience of Built-in Mining

The main advantage of this solution is its simplicity. Users do not need to:

Install additional software
Study complex setup instructions
Undergo additional verification checks
Mining is activated in a separate application tab, and the mined funds can be withdrawn to an external crypto wallet at any time.

The Evolution of a Private Messenger

The addition of Bitcoin mining is a logical step in the evolution of the Verum Messenger ecosystem. The app is gradually transforming from a simple communication tool into a multifunctional platform.

In addition to mining, the following features are already available:

A built-in VPN for secure connections
eSIM with internet access in 150+ countries
Full encryption of all data
The ability to completely delete chat history and setting

What This Changes

Verum Messenger now offers users not just a protected space for communication, but also the ability to earn cryptocurrency simultaneously. This is especially valuable for those who want to get started with mining without delving into technical complexities.

This approach aligns with the project’s overarching philosophy — to create secure and user-friendly digital solutions that offer more opportunities while maintaining confidentiality.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Nov. 30, #433

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Nov. 30, No. 433.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition is a tough one. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Gridiron gains.

Green group hint: Get a kick out of it.

Blue group hint: Baseball legend.

Purple group hint: Rocky Mountain team.