Airbnb’s New Security Camera Ban Is a Big Deal
Airbnb continues its tour of redemption by announcing today that it will ban all indoor security cameras in Airbnb properties starting April 30, 2024. As an added incentive, the news also includes more detailed instructions on outdoor cameras.
Today’s policy change was a simple, literal ban on the use of cameras in any premises considered private, period. Outside cameras “are not permitted in certain outdoor areas where increased privacy is required, such as an enclosed outdoor shower or sauna.” I suspect the vagueness of the definitions here will continue to be an issue since most guests like me expect privacy anytime and anywhere I’ve paid for the privilege, including backyards and patios. Video intercoms and noise monitors still seem to have the green light.
While Airbnb’s revenue continues to grow (16% growth from 2022 to 2023 continues a long trend), it has suffered over the past year or two from users fed up with exorbitant fees, long to-do lists at checkout, over-promised interiors, problems with security and terrible hosts. To regain positive PR, Airbnb introduced more transparent pricing last year and made some progress in eliminating cleaning fees . Today’s news about security cameras coincides with previous attempts to directly address guest concerns. While each of these policy changes makes a small difference, it will be several quarters before we know whether these moves will help Airbnb’s overall image or impact revenue.
For some time, Airbnb casually allowed cameras to be installed outdoors wherever hosts wanted them installed, and indoors as long as they remained in common areas. Hosts were required to disclose the existence and location of cameras, but with little enforcement from Airbnb, review sites were flooded with reports of undisclosed cameras. For the host, these measures, which can also include smart home noise monitors like Minut and Nest, can help ensure that guests respect the property and neighbors and don’t steal, partake in parties, or engage in other disturbing behavior. For guests, this is an invasion of privacy. This doesn’t even take into account the privacy issues associated with these smart cameras being hacked and then being viewed by people other than the host, an issue that seems to come up again and again.
Although Airbnb claims that only a fraction of hosts use indoor cameras, I suspect that is simply the number of cameras registered ; actual usage may be much higher. Today’s policy clarity, if heeded, will create a more guest-friendly environment, but only if it is followed. Airbnb said: “Reports of violations of this policy brought to our attention will be investigated and action we take may include listing or deleting the account.”