In an industry move that prioritizes privacy over surveillance, Airbnb is kicking indoor cameras to the curb. Starting April 30, the home-sharing juggernaut is banning hosts from equipping their rentals with indoor security cameras, according to a company announcement on Monday. This sweeping change will be implemented globally, demanding adherence from landlords and managers of all Airbnb listings.
In the past, Airbnb maintained a more lenient stance that allowed indoor cameras in non-private spaces such as hallways and living rooms, but only if the devices were disclosed on the property's listing page and visible. However, with the introduction of the new policy, this liberty has been axed, aiming to "simplify our policy on security cameras and other devices," Airbnb said in a statement obtained by ABC13. This move is expected to impact a relatively small number of listings on Airbnb, as "the majority of listings on Airbnb do not report having a security camera," the company added.
While indoor surveillance is getting the boot, outdoor cameras, and noise decibel monitors haven't been given the same treatment. They will continue to be permitted, with the caveat that hosts must disclose their presence and general location before a booking is confirmed. Airbnb emphasizes transparency, insisting that outdoor devices are not to monitor indoor spaces or private outdoor areas, such as enclosed showers or saunas, as reported by the Houston Chronicle.
To bolster guest confidence, Airbnb is also tightening the rules around the presence of noise decibel monitors. These devices, which can gauge sound levels without recording actual audio, are restricted to common areas in the listing."Our goal was to create new, clear rules that provide our community with greater clarity about what to expect on Airbnb. 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," Juniper Downs, Airbnb’s Head of Community Policy and Partnerships, stated on Monday.
Violations post-April 30 will not go unnoticed, with the company vowing to investigate reports and possibly remove the infringing listings and accounts from its platform. Airbnb's updated policy could be a decisive step forward in protecting users' rights to privacy and setting a standard in the hospitality industry.
