An Airbnb executive resigned after only six months on the job after taking issue with the company’s data sharing practices in China, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Sean Joyce, a former deputy director with the Federal Bureau of Investigation who joined Airbnb as the chief trust officer in May 2019, left after just six months on the job. Joyce had, in the summer of 2019, raised concerns over the company sharing data such as email addresses, phone numbers and host-tenant messages with the Chinese Communist Party government from users who booked rentals in China — a practice that the company has made public since 2016.

Sean Joyce

According to the WSJ, Joyce believed that the average user booking on the platform is not explicitly made aware that data can be shared and was also concerned by Airbnb’s potential willingness to consider sharing even more information in the future.

While Joyce said that the practice could allow the Chinese government to track people through their use of Airbnb, the company responded that it has to comply with certain laws in order to operate in China. The country has strict laws about foreign companies and blocks sites like Facebook, YouTube and Google entirely.

“We are committed to being transparent with our community, and clearly disclose our data policies to all of our hosts and guests by displaying a clear message to users when they are on the platform and through multiple other notifications,” Airbnb spokesperson Nick Papas told the WSJ in a statement. Airbnb did not immediately reply to an additional request for comment from Inman.

An anonymous source familiar with the situation told the WSJ that the Chinese government had approached Airbnb with an unofficial request for more “real-time data” about reservations in the summer of 2019. Joyce had expressed concerns to top executives like Chief Executive Brian Chesky and co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk that this could allow the Chinese government to spy on tourists and locals, as well as track persecuted groups like the Muslim Uighurs.

While Joyce’s concerns were listened to and taken seriously, he resigned after reportedly being told by Blecharczyk that company was not operating in China “to promote American values.”

Show Comments Hide Comments
Sign up for Inman’s Morning Headlines
What you need to know to start your day with all the latest industry developments
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive marketing emails from Inman.
Success!
Thank you for subscribing to Morning Headlines.
Back to top
Only 3 days left to register for Inman Connect Las Vegas before prices go up! Don't miss the premier event for real estate pros.Register Now ×
Limited Time Offer: Get 1 year of Inman Select for $199SUBSCRIBE×
Log in
If you created your account with Google or Facebook
Don't have an account?
Forgot your password?
No Problem

Simply enter the email address you used to create your account and click "Reset Password". You will receive additional instructions via email.

Forgot your username? If so please contact customer support at (510) 658-9252

Password Reset Confirmation

Password Reset Instructions have been sent to

Subscribe to The Weekender
Get the week's leading headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Top headlines from around the real estate industry. Breaking news as it happens.
15 stories covering tech, special reports, video and opinion.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
It looks like you’re already a Select Member!
To subscribe to exclusive newsletters, visit your email preferences in the account settings.
Up-to-the-minute news and interviews in your inbox, ticket discounts for Inman events and more
1-Step CheckoutPay with a credit card
By continuing, you agree to Inman’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You will be charged . Your subscription will automatically renew for on . For more details on our payment terms and how to cancel, click here.

Interested in a group subscription?
Finish setting up your subscription
×