Airbnb announced on Monday that it was banning the use of indoor security cameras in rental listings on its site globally.
The change will go into effect on April 30 and is expected to affect a small number of rentals, Airbnb said in a blog post. Outdoor-facing cameras such as ring cameras or noise decibel monitors will still be allowed. However, they are prohibited in outdoor spaces where privacy is expected, such as outdoor showers or saunas. Hosts are also required to disclose the use of decibel monitors.
"Our goal was to create new, clear rules that provide our community with greater clarity about what to expect on Airbnb. 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," Juniper Downs, Airbnb's Head of Community Policy and Partnerships, said.
Any violations of the new policy reported after it is enacted on April 30 will be investigated by Airbnb and may result in the listing being removed from the website.
What Led to Airbnb's New Security Camera Policy?
Airbnb had allowed the use of indoor security cameras in common areas, including hallways and living rooms, as long as they were disclosed on the listing page before booking and were clearly visible to guests. Indoor security cameras were not allowed in spaces like sleeping areas and bathrooms.
However, Airbnb guests have reported finding hidden cameras in their rentals. On TikTok, a whole page is dedicated to showing viewers how to find hidden cameras in their rental.
In 2015, Airbnb settled a civil suit with a customer who found hidden cameras in a California rental. Specifically, the tenants alleged that they were never told about the camera in the living room and often walked through the area without clothing.
In 2019, South Korean police found hidden cameras inside TV boxes, wall outlets, and hair dryer stands in 42 hotel rooms that secretly live-streamed about 1,600 guests between November 24, 2018, to March 2, 2019. Videos obtained through the hidden cameras were sold on a website that had 4,099 members. The group behind the spycams had made 7 million won ($6,200), per Korea Herald.
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