Earlier this week, Airbnb announced that they ban the use of indoor security cameras on their properties around the world. They also announced rules for outdoor cameras and other devices.
In an effort to “prioritize the privacy of our community,” Airbnb is creating new rules to ensure privacy and comfort for guests. Previously, cameras were allowed to be placed in common areas (living room, hallways, etc.), but it was policy to disclose this on the listing page.
Hosts are now required to disclose the location of any outdoor cameras and the presence of decibel monitors on the listing page. The revised policy for indoor and outdoor monitoring will come into effect on April 30.
This policy change comes into effect following the investigation into hidden cameras found at Airbnb locations in Canada and Malaysia. These cases caused much consternation due to the invasive nature of the violations.
A girl’s birthday trip went wrong while staying at an Airbnb on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast when one of the women on the trip claimed she found a hidden camera in each of the two bathrooms. A few days later, after their stay in mid-March, she reported the findings to the police, who began an investigation.
Much to Airbnb’s dismay, this event went viral TikTok with millions of views, but turned out to be false. Authorities were able to confirm that the problem areas were actually just electrical outlets.
However, around the same time, this case occurred in London, CA. In July, police were contacted when a couple staying in an Airbnb noticed a hidden camera in a bedroom, which violates Airbnb policy. As mentioned above, cameras were previously allowed in common areas, but not in private areas.
The subsequent police search found “video evidence of voyeurism,” leading to to upload one man with one touch of voyeurism.
Both incidents were isolated local examples, but a skit on the primetime show Saturday Night Live, which aired in early March, put the company in the national spotlight. The skit joked about cameras in the toilet of an Airbnb listing.
Because of these and other incidents, Airbnb’s goal now is “to create new, clear rules that give our community more clarity about what to expect on Airbnb.” Hosts have until April 30 to make the appropriate changes and if they don’t, they will face consequences, including removal of listings or accounts on the platform.
