{
  "id": 8769258,
  "title": "Personality tests, dodgy reward programs, AI bots: how rent tech platforms make renting a ‘dehumanising’ experience",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/personality-tests-dodgy-reward-programs-ai-bots-how-rent-tech",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-20T20:13:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Conversation AU",
    "slug": "the-conversation-au",
    "url": "https://theconversation.com/personality-tests-dodgy-reward-programs-ai-bots-how-rent-tech-platforms-make-renting-a-dehumanising-experience-291684"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Rent tech platforms, which include online systems for searching, applying for, paying rent on, and logging maintenance requests for housing, have become a central part of the rental process. These platforms collect and utilize vast amounts of data from renters, who generally have limited control over the data they provide. Many platforms now employ artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline communications with renters and optimize property management workflows. However, these systems have been criticized for being \"dehumanizing\" by renters.\n\nA new report from the non-profit Consumer Policy Research Centre highlights the dehumanizing aspects of rent tech and the questionable practices of some platforms. The report, which investigates rent tech for my PhD research, reveals that while protections for renters are improving in Victoria after recent legal changes, other states are lagging behind. Dark patterns, or manipulative design tactics, are commonly used by rent tech platforms to deceive renters into providing more data than necessary. Some platforms even compel renters to pay for unnecessary add-ons, such as joining dubious reward programs or using data storage services.\n\nThe Privacy Commissioner's ruling against the rental application platform 2Apply for collecting excessive personal information has not been followed through by other platforms. Some platforms even use personality questionnaires claiming to screen applicants based on traits like agreeableness. Additionally, platforms sometimes force renters to pay for unnecessary value-adding features like rewards programs or data storage services.\n\nWhile Victoria has introduced new laws limiting the questions on rental application forms and banning third-party fees, these improvements have not been replicated in other states. Renters are still faced with invasive data practices and minimal choice when using rent tech platforms. Privacy policies are often vague and contradictory, making it difficult for renters to understand how their data is being used.\n\nTo improve the situation for renters, industry experts suggest that real estate professionals should adhere to best practices when choosing and implementing rent tech. The peak body for real estate professionals could take on this responsibility. However, the most significant improvement would require changes to Australian privacy law and state-based rental laws, as well as rigorous enforcement. Currently, small real estate businesses are exempt from the Privacy Act, which leaves privacy protections for renters patchy across Australia. The federal government is currently working on addressing this issue.",
  "summary": "Rent tech is an unavoidable part of modern renting – and renters have little control over what data they have to give up and what happens to it afterwards.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}