Airbnb Is Banning All Indoor Security Cameras in Its Listings
The company's previous policy allowed for indoor security cameras in common areas like hallways and living rooms as long as they were disclosed
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A security camera and the Airbnb logo on a phoneAirbnb has made an update to its policy on security cameras.
On Monday, the online marketplace announced that beginning on April 30, 2024, it's "banning the use of indoor security cameras in listings globally."
"Our goal was to create new, clear rules that provide our community with greater clarity about what to expect on Airbnb," said Airbnb’s head of community policy and partnerships, Juniper Downs, in a statement.
"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 company's previous policy allowed for security cameras in common living areas like hallways and living rooms, as long as the devices were "disclosed on the listing page before booking, clearly visible and were not located in spaces like sleeping areas and bathrooms," Airbnb's statement on Monday said.
The new policy is being implemented as the company strives to prioritize the privacy of the Airbnb community.
In addition to banning indoor security cameras, the company announced on Monday that it will be revising its policy on outdoor cameras in April, making it more comprehensive.
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"Devices like doorbell cameras and noise decibel monitors continue to be permitted" in the policy, because they are effective ways to monitor a home's security and prevent "unauthorized parties" from entering a home.
However, under the revised policy, "hosts will be required to disclose the presence and general location of any outdoor cameras before guests book."
Outdoor cameras will be prohibited from monitoring any indoor space in a home and are banned in areas of the home where there is a "greater expectation of privacy, like an enclosed outdoor shower or sauna."
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Hosts will also be required to disclose the presence of noise decibel monitors on the property in the listing. The devices assess noise decibel levels and do not "record or transmit sounds or conversations." They're only permitted in common areas of homes.
Any violations of the policy reported after April 30 will be investigated by Airbnb and might result in a listing being removed from the site.
In the company's announcement, it said it expected the new and revised policies to impact a small percentage of the Airbnb community, since most listings don't disclose security cameras.
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