Airbnb announced this week that it is prohibiting the use of indoor security cameras in all of its listings globally. This update to the previous policy now bans such devices even in common areas like hallways and living rooms.
The company stated on Monday that the majority of their listings do not have indoor security cameras and emphasized the importance of privacy.
Previously, hosts were allowed to have security cameras in common areas as long as they informed guests before booking. These cameras had to be visible and not hidden, and were not permitted in sleeping areas or bathrooms. Airbnb’s new policy, effective from April 30, extends the ban to all indoor areas, regardless of visibility.
The reason for this change was not immediately disclosed, but the prevalence of indoor security cameras has raised concerns about privacy in various settings such as vacation rentals, hotels, public bathrooms, locker rooms, and cruise ships.
Reports of unethical vacation rental hosts using hidden cameras inside objects like clocks, smoke detectors, and outlets have been circulating in headlines and online forums for some time.
Juniper Downs, Airbnb’s head of community policy and partnerships, explained that the policy changes were made after consulting with guests, hosts, and privacy experts.
She stated, “Our goal was to establish clear rules that offer our community a better understanding of what to expect on Airbnb.” With over 7 million listings in more than 100,000 cities worldwide, Airbnb is a major player in the short-term rental market.
While indoor security cameras are now banned, Airbnb will still allow outdoor security cameras, noise monitors, and doorbell cameras as they are useful for security purposes. However, hosts must disclose the presence and general location of these devices before guests book, and they cannot monitor private areas like enclosed outdoor showers or saunas.
