Airbnb has moved to ban all indoor security cameras in its rental listings worldwide to take effect on April 30. The ban will include all cameras “inside listings, regardless of their location, purpose or prior disclosure.”
Because security cameras inside rental properties pose such a threat to privacy, it’s hard to believe that Airbnb has waited so long to implement this policy. Now, Airbnb says that rental hosts are “not allowed to have security cameras and recording devices that monitor any part of a listing’s interior, such as the listing’s hallway, bedroom, bathroom, living room, or guest house, even if they’re turned off or disconnected.”
“Our goal was to create new, clear rules that provide our community with greater clarity about what to expect on Airbnb,” said Juniper Downs, the company’s Head of Community Policy and Partnerships. “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.”
What remains acceptable are doorbell cameras which are permissible so long as hosts utilize them to monitor security externally for their listing or home. Decibel monitors are also permissible for hosts to ensure their listings are not being exploited for loud parties. However, hosts will now be required to disclose the presence and location of any and all outdoor cameras prior to guest bookings.
Before these policies were introduced, Airbnb listings were allowed to have security cameras in their listing’s common areas, such as living rooms and hallways if they were disclosed on the listing. Once the new policies go into effect, violating hosts may have their account or listing removed.
