Airbnb made a significant announcement regarding its policies on surveillance devices within properties listed on its platform. The company declared a ban on indoor security cameras and introduced stricter regulations for outdoor cameras and noise-monitoring devices.
Previously, Airbnb permitted cameras in certain areas such as hallways and living spaces, provided that property owners disclosed their presence. Additionally, the cameras had to be visibly placed and were prohibited from bedrooms or bathrooms.
Effective April 30, Airbnb will implement these changes to streamline its policy on monitoring devices while continuing to uphold user privacy.
Furthermore, the updated policy mandates property managers to disclose the existence and approximate location of outdoor cameras. These cameras must not monitor indoor spaces and should avoid areas with a high expectation of privacy, such as showers or saunas.
Acknowledging the use of noise monitors by some hosts to preempt unauthorized parties, Airbnb now requires hosts to disclose these devices to guests. Moreover, these monitors are restricted to assessing decibel levels and are not permitted to record or transmit sounds.
Airbnb emphasized that violations of the new policy will be thoroughly investigated, with penalties potentially including delisting or suspension of user accounts.
The company stated, “These changes follow extensive consultation with guests, hosts, privacy experts, and advocacy groups.”
While Airbnb asserts that most listed properties do not employ security cameras, these updates coincide with growing apprehension surrounding the proliferation of hidden cameras in public spaces, fueled by their increased affordability and accessibility in recent years.
