Airbnb warns hosts who use indoor security cameras they may face eviction
- Reference: 1710198849
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2024/03/11/airbnb_bans_indoor_security_cameras/
- Source link:
Airbnb on Monday [1]posted news of its plan to ban the use of indoor security cameras in its listings. The use of indoor security cameras – in common areas only – was previously allowed.
"Our goal was to create new, clear rules that provide our community with greater clarity about what to expect on Airbnb," Juniper Downs, head of community policy and partnerships for the short-term rental disrupter, wrote in the post. "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."
[2]
While Airbnb's legalese means indoor cameras are no longer allowed (they were never permitted in private spaces like bedrooms and bathrooms), the [3]new policy still allows the devices to be installed outdoors – provided they aren't aimed indoors, or placed in outdoor areas such as an outdoor shower or sauna where guests can reasonably expect privacy.
[4]
[5]
The policy still permits use of smart home devices, doorbell cameras, and decibel monitors designed to catch guests who [6]violate noise rules . All such devices must, however, be reported and mentioned in Airbnb listings – the new policy includes instructions on how hosts can do so.
Airbnb's [7]old policy on the use of cameras and recording devices was rather vague – stating only that concealed cameras and those located in private spaces weren't allowed, and that permitted cameras must be clearly visible.
[8]Airbnb sees AI as its ticket to become a sprawling Big Tech giant
[9]Airbnb hosts less likely to accept bookings from Black people than Whites
[10]Boffins find way to use a standard smartphone to find hidden spy cams
[11]Italy seizes from Airbnb $836M in alleged unpaid taxes
The change will likely be good news to those who were worried about privacy in their Airbnb short-stay. We've [12]reported on previous incidents involving hidden cameras in Airbnb rentals – one of which landed a [13]host in prison . Banning indoor cameras is sure to add some peace of mind.
That said, the cameras that got hosts into trouble were hidden – which Airbnb noted in the updated policy has always been against its terms. Someone willing to ignore the rules and respect for guest privacy is unlikely to change their ways based on the shift in policy.
[14]
Guests who believe they've spotted a camera violating the updated policy after April 30, when it goes into effect, should [15]report it to Airbnb. Hosts violating the rule will be investigated, Airbnb promised, and could have their account removed. ®
Get our [16]Tech Resources
[1] https://news.airbnb.com/an-update-on-our-policy-on-security-cameras/
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Ze-hZ0-sXZ8HhC9tuKCLRwAAAYs&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/3061
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Ze-hZ0-sXZ8HhC9tuKCLRwAAAYs&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33Ze-hZ0-sXZ8HhC9tuKCLRwAAAYs&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2022/08/17/airbnb_antiparty_technology/
[7] https://web.archive.org/web/20240308061750/https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/3061
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2024/02/14/airbnb_q4_23/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2022/12/14/airbnb_hosts_race_study/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2021/11/18/smartphone_camera_detection/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/07/italy_hits_airbnb_with_836/
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2019/04/05/scarebnb_creeper_cams/
[13] https://www.theregister.com/2019/05/08/airbnb_host_jailed/
[14] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Ze-hZ0-sXZ8HhC9tuKCLRwAAAYs&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[15] https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/3218
[16] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: "where guests can reasonably expect privacy expectations"
Everywhere?
So in the hotel, you think there are no cameras in the entrance, the reception, the car park, the park?
Ok sure.
Re: "where guests can reasonably expect privacy expectations"
Uuuum Pascal:
Depending on *where* you're staying there are cameras (usually quite a few) in the lobby, elevators, corridors, stairwells, pools and garage, and pretty much every square inch of exterior grounds.
I will note that that vast majority of those hotels and motels that do this are very much unlikely to publish any of those images they collect on anything like their webpages or social media profiles *without* at least asking permission, usually politely and by tossing you an upgrade. (I have had that joy, once, long ago, pre soc-med, but for the Travel agency website)
I've seen even fairly scruffy off main track motels with more camera coverage than your average shopping mall.
The *issue* with AirBnB was that while the legal entity permitted cameras indoors on the provider's properties, for the provider's personal comfort, security and whatnot, they discovered that the world is full of perverted SoB's that seem to think that they can get away with violating their tenant's privacy, personal space, personal security and safety by installing cameras in places they had no permissions for and then subsequently publishing those images to places like PornHub, the dark web and various other image sharing sites of spectacularly questionable integrity.
Yeah - I imangine that the global team of AirBnB inspectors and enforcers are, as I write, packing their bags and heading off to make sure that this new policy is complied with.
Workaround
An ABnB host can simply pay neighbors for access to data recorded by those neighbors' cameras, which "just happen" to be pointed at the windows of an ABnB host's home. "They're not my cameras, so I'm in compliance with the new rule. Ha-ha-ha!"
"where guests can reasonably expect privacy expectations"
Isn't that fun ?
When I go to a hotel, I reasonably expect privacy everywhere .
I do not expect my face to show up on the hotel's Facebook page of reservations. Nor do I expect that I be found on the hotel's Facebook restaurant guest page.
I am willing to accept that there be a security cam in the garage, but that will be the extent of my understanding.
If you so much as show a pic of me wandering around in your garden, I will sue your ass off.