Airbnb hosts may have good reasons to want to install security cameras inside properties they rent out—they’ve been used to catch theft, or vandalism, or even just non-compliance with rental rules. But concerns about privacy violations have pushed the property rental company Airbnb to ban all indoor security cameras in all of its listings worldwide.
“Our goal was to create new, clear rules that provide our community with greater clarity about what to expect on Airbnb,” Juniper Downs, Airbnb’s head of community policy and partnerships, said in a blog post by the San Francisco-based company announcing the new measure on Monday. “These changes were made in consultation with our guests, Hosts and privacy experts, and we’ll continue to seek feedback to help ensure our policies work for our global community.”
Changes to their policy, according to Airbnb, which previously allowed indoor cameras in common areas such as living rooms so long as they were disclosed, will take effect on April 30. The update “simplifies” Airbnb’s approach and makes clear that security cameras “regardless of their location, purpose or prior disclosure” are prohibited inside rented out properties. “As the majority of listings on Airbnb do not report having a security camera, this update is expected to impact a smaller subset of listings on the platform.”
Read More: We Asked An Etiquette Expert About Home Security Cameras
Airbnb has been dogged by controversies in which renters have found seemingly hidden cameras in their lodgings—including in areas with a reasonable expectation of privacy like bathrooms. In an essay titled “Airbnb Has a Hidden-Camera Problem,” former technology staff writer for the Atlantic Sidney Fussell reported in 2019 that in some cases, distressed guests had to resort to social media for Airbnb to settle their complaints. The problem has become so common that sites including the Washington Post and Fast Company have published guides on how to find hidden cameras in your Airbnb, and NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” aired a skit last week parodying Airbnb with references to cameras in the toilet and the bedroom.
Last August, a couple filed a $75,000 lawsuit against a Maryland host for allegedly placing hidden cameras recording their intimate moments in the bedroom of a Silver Spring property they rented out. One member of the couple, who installs smoke detectors professionally, discovered the cameras after spotting two smoke detectors in the bedroom.
And in September 2023, Indonesian police intervened after a newlywed Chinese couple took to Xiaohongshu—China’s equivalent of Instagram—to share that they found a small camera hidden in a wall power socket in an Airbnb room in Kota Kinabalu. The couple said they searched the room after a previous hotel they booked under the platform also had cameras.
Airbnb also apologized to a New Zealand family in 2019 after the renters found a hidden camera live-streaming their stay in Cork, Ireland.
In 2015, a German woman sued Airbnb and an Irvine couple after she said she hadn’t been informed of a camera in the living room of the southern California rental she had stayed in, where she walked around naked. The suit reached a settlement in 2017.
Airbnb did not immediately respond to TIME’s request for comment.
In its announcement about indoor cameras, the company clarified that “devices like doorbell cameras and noise decibel monitors continue to be permitted on Airbnb and can be an effective, privacy-protective way for Hosts to monitor security for their home and get ahead of issues like unauthorized parties.” However, outdoor cameras are prohibited from monitoring indoor spaces and spaces like enclosed outdoor showers or saunas, Airbnb added.
FAQs
Airbnb is banning the use of indoor security cameras in listings globally as part of efforts to simplify our policy on security cameras and other devices and to continue to prioritize the privacy of our community.
Why has Airbnb banned security cameras? ›
The decision comes after many reports of hidden cameras over the years. While the majority of its listings — more than 7 million worldwide at the end of last year — don't report having indoor security cameras, Airbnb said the policy change was made in an effort to prioritize the privacy of guests.
Is it illegal for Airbnb to have cameras? ›
Hosts are not allowed to have security cameras and recording devices that monitor any part of a listing's interior, such as the listing's hallway, bedroom, bathroom, living room, or guest house, even if they're turned off or disconnected. Hidden security cameras are strictly prohibited.
Should I be worried about cameras in Airbnb? ›
Currently, Airbnb is banning only cameras indoors on participating properties. So having an outdoor security camera or a video doorbell is still entirely legal and a common choice for Airbnb owners worried about illegal house parties or uninvited strangers.
What is Airbnb banning from their rental properties? ›
Airbnb is banning indoor security cameras from rental properties listed on its site, citing privacy concerns. The platform had allowed cameras in common areas like hallways and living rooms as long as they were clearly mentioned in a property's listings.
Do Airbnb really have hidden cameras? ›
Indoor security cameras prohibited in listings globally on Airbnb. More comprehensive rules on the use of outdoor cameras and other devices.
Can you sue Airbnb for hidden cameras? ›
In recent years, many hidden camera lawsuits have arisen as a result of hidden surveillance technology inside Airbnbs, hotels, and other locations.
Can Airbnb Host come in unannounced? ›
What we don't allow. Physical intrusions: Hosts and guests must not access or attempt to access private spaces unless they have permission or there is an emergency.
What happens if you bring more guests to an Airbnb? ›
If you want to bring extra guests
Some Hosts may have an extra guest fee and require that you submit a trip change request to add any additional guests to your reservation. Other Hosts might have a strict limit on the capacity for their home and can't accommodate any more people.
How can you tell if there's a hidden camera? ›
Use a flashlight: Try locating hidden cameras by carefully running a flashlight around the room—keeping it at eye level— and looking for tiny blue or purple reflections that shine when hit by a ray of light. If you see any, it's likely a camera lens.
Alertify detects cigarette or vape particles through a sophisticated particle sensor. For a small apartment or home, one device is enough. If you want more accuracy, or have a larger home or penthouse, you can install more devices. Alertify is intended for indoor use only, and is not weatherproof.
How safe is Airbnb for guests? ›
AirCover includes guest identity verification and $3 million in damage protection to better protect hosts from issues that guests may cause. Safety issues can happen at any form of lodging, and Airbnb is generally considered safe.
Can you get kicked out of Airbnb? ›
What happens when a Host or guest violates our policies? We ask our community to work together to help prevent community disturbances and disruptive gatherings. Airbnb may take steps up to and including suspending or removing a guest, Host, or listing from the Airbnb platform if they fail to comply with our policies.
Why are people banning Airbnb? ›
Housing Affordability: Short-term rentals can reduce the availability of long-term rental properties, driving up housing costs. Neighborhood Integrity: Frequent turnover of short-term renters can disrupt the sense of community and lead to noise and safety concerns.
What states banned Airbnb? ›
California Cities That Have Banned Airbnb
- Redondo Beach.
- West Hollywood.
- Partial Bans:
- Santa Monica...Ban on whole house STR's.
Hidden security cameras are strictly prohibited. Hosts are not allowed to have security cameras and recording devices that monitor any part of a listing's interior, such as the listing's hallway, bedroom, bathroom, living room, or guest house, even if they're turned off or disconnected.
What has Airbnb banned recently? ›
Airbnb is banning use of all indoor security cameras in properties listed on its platform. It will also restrict the use of outdoor cameras and noise monitoring devices. The company said the changes “follow extensive consultation with guests, hosts, privacy experts and advocacy groups.”
What to do if you find a hidden camera in Airbnb? ›
If you find a camera, take a video or photos of your findings, cover the camera, and call the local police's non-emergency number. Then, contact the rental company. Make sure to leave a review online so others can avoid the rental.
Can an Airbnb host come in unannounced? ›
What we don't allow. Physical intrusions: Hosts and guests must not access or attempt to access private spaces unless they have permission or there is an emergency.
