Airbnb bans indoor security cameras due to privacy concerns

Airbnb

Airbnb, in response to privacy concerns, has globally prohibited the use of indoor security cameras in its properties. 

The short-term rental platform said on Monday it had made the decision as part of its efforts to simplify its policy on security cameras and “prioritise the privacy of our community”.Airbnb, headquartered in San Francisco, had until now permitted the use of security cameras in shared spaces like living rooms, as long as they were disclosed in the property listings and clearly visible.

“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 in a statement. This decision follows years of sporadic reports about Airbnb users discovering concealed cameras in their accommodations.

Airbnb said it expected the change to affect only a “smaller subset of listings” as a majority of properties did not report having a security camera.

Airbnb has stated that hosts can continue to use doorbell cameras and noise decibel monitors to manage concerns like unauthorized parties. However, hosts must now disclose the existence and general location of outdoor cameras before confirming bookings, and these outdoor cameras should not be utilized to monitor indoor areas or be placed in spaces outdoors where privacy expectations are higher, such as shower areas.

The updated policy is set to be enforced starting April 30, allowing hosts a grace period to adhere to the new regulations.

Source: Al Jazeera