San Francisco, California – Airbnb, the popular short-term rental platform, has announced a significant change in its policy regarding the use of indoor security cameras at its properties worldwide. This decision comes as a response to growing concerns over privacy issues within the Airbnb community.
In an effort to prioritize the privacy of its guests and hosts, Airbnb has decided to ban the use of indoor security cameras in its properties. Previously, the platform allowed security cameras in common areas such as living rooms as long as they were disclosed in the listing and visible to guests. However, this policy has now been revised to exclude indoor cameras altogether.
The decision to ban indoor security cameras was made after consultations with guests, hosts, and privacy experts. Juniper Downs, Airbnb’s head of community policy and partnerships, emphasized the importance of feedback from the global community in shaping the platform’s policies going forward.
This move follows years of occasional reports of guests discovering hidden cameras in their Airbnb accommodations. While the change is expected to impact a smaller subset of listings, as most properties do not have security cameras, hosts will still be allowed to install doorbell cameras and noise decibel monitors to address concerns like unauthorized parties.
Hosts will now be required to disclose the presence and general location of outdoor cameras before accepting bookings. Additionally, outdoor cameras must not be used to monitor indoor spaces or be installed in areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as shower areas.
The revised policy is set to take effect on April 30, giving hosts time to adjust and comply with the new rules. Airbnb remains committed to ensuring the safety and privacy of its community members while offering a comfortable and secure lodging experience for all guests.