Airbnb to start sharing Chinese host information with government agencies

US short-term rental service Airbnb Inc said it would start disclosing host information to Chinese government agencies starting on Friday, as the San Francisco-based company complies with regulations in China.

China’s regulations on residency require citizens and tourists to register their addresses with the police when they arrive in the country or stay at a hotel, within 24 hours.

The changes come after Airbnb shuttered its service for a month in Beijing.

Airbnb China said in an email to hosts reviewed by Reuters that the decision is “similar to other hospitality companies that do business in China,” and users with concerns can deactivate their listings.

“Airbnb China must comply with local laws and regulations, including privacy and information disclosure laws,” it said.

Airbnb did not respond to a request for comment on the specific disclosures, but a spokesman said that it complies with China’s laws.

In late 2016, Airbnb moved to store its data in China to meet the country’s requirements, sparking concern that user data would be compromised. It also launched a separate Chinese business to comply with the law.

China introduced a new cybersecurity law in 2017 that requires foreign and local technology companies to store Chinese data locally and offer technical support to authorities who wish to access it. Airbnb is expanding in China amid stiff competition from Chinese rivals Tujia.com and Xiaozhu. com, which also comply with the regulations.