Airbnb bans hosts from using indoor security cameras in rentals


Airbnb said Monday that it’s banning the use of indoor security cameras in rentals around the world by the end of next month.

The San Francisco-based online rental platform said it is seeking to “simplify” its security-camera policy while prioritizing privacy. The change will take effect 30 April.

“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 prepared statement.

Airbnb had allowed the use of indoor security cameras in common areas like hallways and living rooms, as long as the locations of the cameras were disclosed on the listings page. Under the new policy, hosts will still be allowed to use doorbell cameras and noise-decibel monitors, which are only allowed in common spaces, as long as the location and presence of the devices are disclosed. The policy also bars hosts from using outdoor cameras to surveil indoors spaces.

Airbnb guests have reported finding hidden cameras in their rentals. Downs said she expects the policy update to impact a small number of hosts because the majority of Airbnb listings do not report having indoor security cameras. If a host is found to violate the new policy against indoor cameras, they risk losing their Airbnb account.

In its fourth-quarter earnings report last month, Airbnb said its bookings and revenue rose, and the company said demand remains strong.


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