Airbnb brings in new rules to ‘prioritise privacy’ for guests

Time for a crackdown.

Airbnb will no longer allow hosts to use indoor security cameras as the company moves to prioritise privacy. 

The vacation rental app previously allowed hosts to have indoor security cameras in common areas such as hallways and living rooms as long as they were stated on their listing page and clearly visible to guests. 

Now, in a new announcement made on Monday, hosts cannot use indoor security cameras at all ‘regardless of their location, purpose or prior disclosure’. 

The change comes as people claim to discover hidden cameras within rental places, leading some vacation-goers to scan their rooms. 

Airbnb has never allowed security cameras in private areas, like bedrooms or bathrooms, and all hidden cameras are banned.

‘The update to this policy simplifies our approach and makes clear that security cameras are not allowed inside listings, regardless of their location, purpose or prior disclosure,’ the firm wrote in a blog post. 

Airbnb said this will only affect a smaller number of listings, but the firm has also revealed a revised policy on the use of outdoor security cameras and other devices like noise decibel monitors.

Now hosts will have to disclose any outdoor cameras before guests book, and cannot use outdoor cameras to monitor indoor spaces or place them in private outdoor areas like an enclosed outdoor shower or sauna.

‘Our goal was to create new, clear rules that provide our community with greater clarity about what to expect on Airbnb,’ said Juniper Downs, Airbnb’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.’ 

The renewed policy comes into effect on April 30, to allow hosts to make any changes to align with the new guidelines. 

After that date, any reported violations brought to Airbnb’s attention to be investigated which could lead to an account removal, the firm said.