Is this standard for Airbnb?

I do not think this all is standard. It must be particular host.

I always contact potential air bnbs ahead of booking and tell them something about my visit. I do this mostly to see how quickly they respond.

I pay in dollars with a Visa card. I have a Discover card but it is not as widely accepted.

And I usually do pay some of costs up front.

BUT have never been asked to send a picture or a government ID. But I have had to supply my passport upon arrival. So maybe this host is just doing this ahead of time.

I am not sure how Bologna is handling these kind of rentals but Milan and Florence had banned key-boxes, so apartments have to be handed over in person.

Such restrictions can influence some data required, not explaining the payment details though.

Actually the requirement for face to face check in, in Florence, has been revised to allow for video check in. I suspect what you are experiencing might be the result of local regulation. Why dont you start a conversation and ask and discuss it, then let us know what you uncover.

In many countries, hosts are required to register travelers' passports. These are usually copied upon check-in. If check-in is contactless (e.g., via a key box), you must send the photo in advance by email. This is completely standard practice and often even legally required.

Chani, I can't answer for Airbnb as I've never used it but I've rented a couple of apartments here in the States through both booking.com or property management agencies where I was asked to send a selfie + capture of a legal ID with my photo on it, such as my driver's license. From what I understand, more and more rentals are asking for verification that the person making the booking is who they say they are. That includes their age as some will not rent to persons under 25.

Was able to get around all that another time at a property we've had 4-5 prior rentals with so have a history on record.

Are you being asked for something outside of the norm?

Verifying your identity on Airbnb.

I don't have a Discover Card but have read many warnings here about their lack of usefulness in Europe. Have you been able to use that card often during previous trips?

I've never used Airbnb, but the security aspects of this booking don't seem too odd, based on forum comments.

Chani is an experienced and intelligent traveler. When she asks a question, it is worth following.

Absolutely.

Fwiw, I was asked to upload a govt ID (I used my drivers license) when using Airbnb once for a short stay in Edinburgh. That was probably 7 years ago. I don't use the service much so I assumed it was a way to trust that I wasn't just going to trash the place.

Here in Budapest every guest has to have a copy of their passport put on file with the government. Thats a pain to do when standing at the apartment door, so most hosts request it in advance. I didnt comment because Budapest is not Bologna. But I suspect the same is going on. The photo plus the passport is a bit strange, but maybe they have to do some sort of video ID thing. Chani, write and ask. You are personable enough, you will get answers. I am curious.

I use Airbnb often and have had great success with it. First, is there a less preferred card than Discover? I've always used a Visa or Mastercard, but thought I've heard to avoid Discover since many places don't take it. I default to US dollars, so don't know about that. I believe there is a suggestion that automatically pops up when you book to tell your prospective host something about your visit, but it's not required. I usually ask at least one question for clarification before I book, but I just enter what I want to ask. I like to make personal contact to see how quickly and thoroughly they respond, as this gives me an indicator of how they might be if I run into a problem while I'm there. I have a picture on my profile, so no one has asked for that from me. I have had to provide a copy of my passport if they're not able to meet me in person. Finally, I always pay in full up front because that's how I budget, although I make sure it's refundable up until a week or so before I arrive. I've rearranged my schedule after booking (I stress about leaving things to the last minute, so I'm an early planner) several times in the past and it is absolutely easy to get your refund. Hope that helps.

Since it sounds like you are asking in general about Air BnB and not Bologna - and you wanted some used feedback, I will add mine (but I have no experience in Bologna).

1. What I pay ahead, even with an extended free cancellation, varies. But it is rarely less than 50%. I suspect this helps with ascertaining my commitment to the property. I have had to cancel apartments (cancelled trips, change of stops, change of dates and they don’t have availability for the new date, etc.) and the refund has always been very prompt.
2. Documents required has varied. I HAVE been asked for a photo of my passport. Sometimes the photo, sometimes just the info, and sometimes nothing.
3. Discover seems to be rarely accepted. It is not at all surprising you had to use a different card. If the card you used is based in the U.S,, that might be why it required dollars instead of euros.
4. Yes, that goofy “tell us about yourself” box drives me nuts but I pop in a couple of sentences.
5. I have a photo on my profile, so no one has ever asked for that. Perhaps you didn’t already have a photo there? If you do, that’s the only thing out of the ordinary from my experience.

Some things are country-dependent and some Air BnB-dependent, and some host-dependent.

Hope that helps.

Thank you all very much for your thoughtful replies. I posted because I'd never encountered a similar request for lodgings. Your encouragement was all I needed. This afternoon I was able pretty easily to complete the verification process and submit my reservation request.

Please plan to take your "less preferred card" to Europe as Discover is really useless outside the US.

"...as Discover is really useless outside the US."

Capital One just bought the Discover network and switched (or in the process of switching) their Credit Card, based on VISA, to the Discover Network.

https://investor.capitalone.com/news-releases/news-release-details/capital-one-completes-acquisition-discover

Hopefully they are trying to break the duopoly of VISA/MASTERCARD, meaning they are going to invest in the Discovery Network and expand its reach.

Until that hypothetical future the previous Capitol One card holders will suffer.

I got a new Card (VISA) to deal with that.

I have a Capital One debit card. Even Capital One is now advising customers to "bring a second form of payment...just in case when traveling abroad".

I'll just leave it at home.

I hadn't seen that and I generally use my CapitalOne .

Guess it stays home and I take my Chase Card

Thanks for the warning

I don't understand RobertH's post. I just looked at my walletful of plastic. I have a CapitalOne card, which I stopped using when travel benefits were curtailed. It has a mastercard logo on it. I opened the account at lest 20 years ago and it's always been mastercard. Last year CapitalOne took over the Kohl's store card. The new Kohl's/CapitalOne card has a visa logo.

Google:

"is capital one credit card changing to discover?"

Among the confused responses are ones saying the Debit Card moved immediately from the old network to Discovery. The other articles talk about "other cards moving" whenever.

No doubt they still have Cards with the old network, VISA or MASTERCARD. How much longer? Hard to say.