Airbnb Bans All Indoor Security Cameras
www.wired.com
Starting at the end of April, Airbnb will no longer allow hosts to have security cameras inside their rental properties, citing a commitment to prioritizing guest privacy.

But this policy may struggle to address the camera problem at large, as the company has already required hosts to disclose the indoor cameras, and guests have sometimes reported hidden and undisclosed cameras.

The new rules also require hosts to disclose to guests whether they are using noise decibel monitors or outdoor cameras before guests book.

“This just emphasizes the fact that surveillance always gives a huge amount of power to whoever controls the camera system,” says Fox Cahn. “When it’s used in a property you’re renting, whether it’s a landlord or an Airbnb, it’s ripe for abuse.”

    • damndotcommie@lemmy.basedcount.comEnglish
      212·
      3 months ago

      If everyone did that, we wouldn’t need these laws. But alas, the general public doesn’t seem to give enough fucks about their own privacy to change things on their own.

      Edit: Guess it isn’t a law, but their policy. Same principle applies.

    • abhibeckert@lemmy.worldEnglish
      22·
      3 months ago

      It was banned with an exception for common rooms and the entry door/hallway. Now those are banned too.

  • Björn Tantau@swg-empire.deEnglish
    241·
    3 months ago

    Shouldn’t there already be laws handling that? I somehow can’t believe that hotels are allowed to have cameras in the rooms.

    • SchmidtGenetics@lemmy.worldEnglish
      181·
      3 months ago

      This makes it stricter than hotels, cameras were only allowed in common areas before (hallways, living room) so same as hotels. They changed it to remove these ones.

      • cybersandwich@lemmy.worldEnglish
        201·
        3 months ago

        Yes, because it’s a house/dwelling. Hotels that have suites aren’t allowed to have cameras in the kitchenette area or hallway of the suite. That’d be absurd. It’s still “inside” an area where you should expect privacy.

        Just like it’s absurd that it’s taken this long for a policy like this.

        I wonder how they’ll enforce it.

        • abhibeckert@lemmy.worldEnglish
          5·
          3 months ago

          I wonder how they’ll enforce it.

          AFAIK if a customer has a serious complaint, AirBnb will do everything they can to find somewhere else for the customer to stay. And of course, they’ll kick the host off the platform.

          It’s pretty common these days for guests to look for cameras.

        • SchmidtGenetics@lemmy.worldEnglish
          62·
          3 months ago

          That’s comparing apples and oranges, hotels that have common dining areas (like houses) are allowed to have cameras there.

          Yeah a hotel you have the expectation of privacy everywhere in your suite, as well as full access. With Airbnb you aren’t renting a hotel room, you’re entering someone else’s home who they are letting you stay there. There should only be the expectation of privacy in secluded rooms, there is also places you can’t access, not the same case as hotel suites. Think more like hostels, or anything else that’s comparable.

          Private hotel suites, obviously not the same thing mate.

          • cybersandwich@lemmy.worldEnglish
            5·
            3 months ago

            I forgot you can Airbnb a room in someone’s house. That’s weird AF to me. Cameras in “non-room” areas, in that case, seem less privacy invasive. But that whole set up is weird.

    • Cheems@lemmy.worldEnglish
      142·
      3 months ago

      I haven’t seen it, perhaps don’t spend every waking hour on here? Hope the advice helps!