The ban comes after several customers took to social media to complain about discovering hidden cameras at Airbnb lodgings. Some users also claimed that these cameras were installed in areas where privacy is expected. Apart from this, a video may have also been responsible for the company to change its indoor camera policy.
US comedy show Saturday Night Live aired a spoof Airbnb advert just over a week before the company announced the new camera policy. This video included a joke about a camera being hidden in a toilet. Since the video was uploaded on YouTube, it has already amassed 1.3 million views. Watch the video here:
Airbnb’s new camera policy
Owners who list their properties on Airbnb have been allowed to install indoor security cameras in common areas under one condition — the locations of the cameras have to be disclosed on the listings page.
The company is now trying to “simplify” its security camera policy to prioritise customer privacy. Airbnb also noted that this policy update is expected to impact a small number of hosts as most of its listings do not report having indoor security cameras.
Now under the new policy, hosts will still be allowed to use doorbell cameras and noise-decibel monitors, but only in common spaces. The location and presence of these devices also have to be disclosed on listing pages.
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In a statement, Airbnb’s head of community policy and partnerships, Juniper Downs said: “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.”
In another online post, Downs said: “Our goal was to create new, clear rules that provide our community with greater clarity about what to expect on Airbnb.”