Should you provide a photo of your passport if Airbnb Host requests it

Should you send a picture of your passport on AirBNBs to the host in south America if asked for it? Why do they ask for it? I once read a story on Reddit about a man whose identity was stolen and sold on the black market. He suspected that the incident occurred in Colombia at the airport, as they were the only ones who had taken a picture of his passport. A few months later, he was contacted and informed that his identity had been compromised. He was advised to monitor his credit for any unauthorized credit card applications or other suspicious activities. any one with knowledge can answer please.