Airbnb Has Just Prohibited Security Cameras Inside Rentals

For Meg St-Esprit, the presence of cameras in the Airbnb vacation homes she visited with her husband and four children was unsettling. The Pittsburgh-based writer believes the newly enforced camera ban is a wise decision, noting that Airbnb hosts are already 'micromanaging guests' experiences' by imposing their 'lengthy list of expectations' regarding cleaning and usage of the space (St-Esprit mentioned she doesn’t need reminders to dispose of used Keurig pods).

St-Esprit, who alternates between choosing Airbnbs and hotels for her family trips, feels 'much more at ease now that we don’t have to be concerned about hidden cameras,' even though Airbnb’s previous policy mandated hosts to disclose any surveillance devices present in their properties.

However, Airbnb’s announcement on Monday regarding its updated security-camera policy aims 'to further prioritize the privacy of our community.' The newly enforced ban clarifies that 'security cameras are prohibited inside listings, regardless of their location, intent, or prior notification.' The company added that this 'update is expected to affect a smaller segment of listings on the platform.'

Makarand Mody, an associate professor of hospitality marketing at Boston University, points out that Booking.com and Vrbo, similar short-term rental platforms, have long had policies against security cameras inside properties. 'Airbnb is somewhat late to the game when it comes to banning indoor cameras,' says Mody, who has extensively researched Airbnb and the broader short-term rental market.

While this action brings Airbnb 'up to industry standards,' as noted by Mody, it 'won’t significantly address the other issues Airbnb faces regarding hidden cameras.' Mody suggests that hosts who choose to install hidden cameras likely have 'malicious intent.' If they failed to disclose the cameras previously, when Airbnb explicitly prohibited undisclosed hidden cameras, they are unlikely to change their behavior now, according to Mody.

St-Esprit admits she often questions whether her family’s Airbnb stays might have involved 'disguised nanny cams.' She feels uneasy about a particular property in West Virginia that was equipped with so much technology that it made her suspect there could be a hidden camera monitoring her family. 'I found myself wondering the entire time,' says St-Esprit.

If Mody's assertion holds true that hidden cameras will remain undetected despite the ban—even in private spaces like bedrooms and bathrooms—then St-Esprit and other guests may still be vulnerable to surveillance. An Airbnb representative maintains that this problem is 'exceptionally rare.'

Caitlin Kapoor, who plans to stay in an Airbnb with her family in a couple of weeks, is strongly opposed to cameras in short-term rentals and always verifies this information before making a booking. Kapoor, a health and wellness coach from Pennsylvania, prefers Airbnbs over traditional hotels because of the availability of a kitchen—'we don’t want to eat out three times a day for a week'—but the thought of being watched by a camera makes her uneasy and creates a 'weird energy' that clashes with the vacation experience she seeks.

The rationale behind Airbnb's camera ban at this particular moment remains unclear. Guests generally accept security cameras in hotel common areas as they contribute to 'enhancing the perception of safety,' whereas in a short-term rental, surveillance is perceived as 'an invasion of privacy,' explains Mody.

An Airbnb representative informed Dinogo that the company is 'implementing this updated policy following extensive consultations with guests, hosts, privacy experts, and advocacy organizations.'

However, not all hosts are thrilled with Airbnb’s policy change.

Airbnb host Michael Soud reached out to the company as soon as he learned about the ban. In his heritage home located in the greater London area, which he rents remotely without ever meeting guests or exchanging keys, Soud, a venture capital attorney and co-founder of the website Travel Insighter, once found that a booking for three guests had unexpectedly increased to six without his consent or knowledge.

"The only way I knew was through the camera," he explains regarding the device he has positioned at his home's entryway. Soud requested that Airbnb classify his camera as 'an external one' so he can continue hosting through Dinogo while keeping track of who is entering and leaving. However, unless the company grants an unlikely exception, according to the new global policy effective April 30, 2024, Soud will have to either remove the camera or eliminate his Airbnb listing.

Nils Mattisson, co-founder and CEO of the noise-monitoring device Minut, praised the decision, stating to Dinogo that, 'the use of cameras inside rentals was not only contentious but often excessive on the part of owners.'

"Airbnb’s choice marks a pivotal moment for guest privacy and safety, as it eliminates any uncertainty about the presence and placement of cameras in rentals," Mattisson adds.

However, Mody believes the camera ban won’t necessarily sway skeptical Airbnb guests: "If someone is genuinely worried about the possibility of hidden cameras, I doubt this will change their perception of Airbnb."