Airbnb Bans Use Of Indoor Security Cameras (Photo by Alan J. Hendry on Unsplash)

Airbnb, a popular service that allows property owners to rent out their spaces to travelers, is all set to prohibit the use of indoor security cameras in its listings. The home-rental start-up announced this decision following reports of hidden cameras in the properties.

Airbnb had earlier permitted the use of indoor security cameras in common areas of listings, such as hallways and living rooms. Notably, it should be disclosed on the listing page before booking, and the cameras should be clearly visible and not located in spaces like sleeping areas and bathrooms. As per the updated policy, security cameras are banned inside listings, regardless of their location, purpose, or prior disclosure.

The new policy will be applicable globally and will go into 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,” mentioned the platform in a blog post on March 11.

Apart from the ban on indoor cameras, Airbnb said that the revised policy will also include comprehensive rules on the use of outdoor security cameras and other devices, including noise decibel monitors. However, it is mandatory to reveal the presence and location of any outdoor cameras. The platform also mentioned that these cameras will be banned from monitoring the indoor spaces of a property. Hosts should also disclose the presence of noise decibel monitors.

At the same time, Airbnb said that the majority of listings on the platform do not report having a security camera, and the change is likely to impact only a smaller subset of listings. “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, in the blog post.