Airbnb is banning the use of indoor security cameras in all of its listings, the company announced on Monday. Previously, Airbnb has allowed hosts to have indoor security cameras in common areas, such as hallways and living rooms, as long as they disclosed them on their listing page and did not place them in bathrooms and areas where guests sleep.
In a blog post, the company said it is now banning indoor security cameras “regardless of their location, purpose or prior disclosure.”
The company says it’s making the change after consulting with its guests, hosts and privacy experts. Airbnb says majority of the listing on its platform don’t report having an indoor security camera, and that the update will only impact “a smaller subset of listings.” The change comes after numerous reports of guests finding hidden cameras in their rentals. The new change won’t get rid of the issue of hidden cameras, as it targets rule-abiding hosts.
Airbnb is also introducing new rules for outdoor security cameras and noise decibel monitors. Hosts will be required to disclose the presence and location of outdoor cameras before guests book. Hosts can not use outdoor cameras to monitor indoor spaces and cannot place them in private outdoor areas like an enclosed outdoor shower or sauna.
Hosts also need to disclose the use of noise decibel monitors, which are used to determine if a prohibited party is going on, in common spaces of their listings. Airbnb permanently banned parties at all of its listings back in 2020.
The new policy goes into effect on April 30. If a host is breaks the new rules and a guest reports the presence of a camera, Airbnb will investigate them and possibly remove their listing or account from the platform.
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