To protect user privacy, Airbnb is banning hosts from placing indoor cameras at their properties.
The use of surveillance cameras at Airbnbs has been a contentious issue: On the one hand, the cameras can help hosts protect their property. On the other hand, the cameras have been creeping users out for years.
Previously, Airbnb only permitted hosts to place the indoor cameras in common areas, such as hallways or the living room. The cameras also had to be clearly disclosed on the listing page and the devices needed to be clearly visible. But the company has since decided to forbid indoor cameras entirely in an effort to prioritize user privacy and to simplify its policies.
“Our goal was to create new, clear rules that provide our community with greater clarity about what to expect on Airbnb,” says Airbnb's head of Community Policy and Partnerships, Juniper Downs. “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.”
The only exception is for hotel listings on Airbnb; they can continue to use cameras to monitor indoor common areas.
On outdoor cameras, Airbnb is also taking a stronger privacy stance. “Hosts will be required to disclose the presence and general location of any outdoor cameras before guests book,” the company says. “These cameras will also be prohibited from monitoring indoor spaces of a listing and are not allowed in certain outdoor areas where there’s a greater expectation of privacy, like an enclosed outdoor shower or sauna.”
The changes may annoy Airbnb hosts. But the company says “the majority of listings on Airbnb do not report having a security camera.” In total, Airbnb has over 5 million hosts overseeing 7.7 million properties worldwide. The ban on indoor cameras will take effect on April 30.
“After this, reported violations of this policy brought to our attention will be investigated, and action we take can include listing or account removal,” the company adds.