12 March 2024 , 10:54
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Airbnb has banned landlords from using CCTV cameras inside their properties to film guests.
From the end of next month the holiday let company will ban hosts to run "security cameras or recording devices that monitor indoor spaces" inside their properties, even if they are turned off.
Until this point landlords have been permitted to have cameras in common areas such as living rooms and hallways, so long as their location is made clear on the property listing. The use of cameras in bedrooms and bathrooms has always been banned, as has recording software in private areas like bedrooms and bathrooms.
Just last year, one holidaymaker was livid to find a 'creepy' camera in the living room of the property where he was staying.
Under the new rules, doorbell cameras and noise monitors in common areas will still be allowed, but they must be disclosed on the property's listing page. Cameras are also forbidden in outdoor areas with a "great expectation of privacy", such as saunas or showers.
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The ban comes into force on April 30 (Getty Images)"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," Airbnb's Head of Community Policy and Partnerships, Juniper Downs said. "As the majority of listings on Airbnb do not report having a security camera, this update is expected to impact a smaller subset of listings on the platform."
The announcement has largely been met with positivity on the Airbnb Hosts subreddit, a forum of more than 50,000 landlords. One person praised the policy, writing: "As a host I’m not sure why this needed to be banned in the first place and wasn’t common sense. How many hotels have you been to with a camera in your room?"
Another agreed, adding: "Hooray! Door bell and outside cameras are fine and expected, but cameras inside are creepy."
There were those who questioned the extent of the rule change however. One person wrote: "Of course, zero nuance out of some. There are hosts who rent out rooms and should absolutely have the right to set up visible cameras in common areas."
Another added: "I rent out my second bedroom on Airbnb. I've had a security camera on my fireplace mantle in my living room that points to the back door well before I ever put my room on Airbnb. This is for my *own* safety.
"Now I can't monitor the property I own and live in if I want to use Airbnb? This makes absolutely no sense to me. I'm a 5-star super host and not one person has ever mentioned having a problem with the camera. I disclose it explicitly in the listing and the guidebook."
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