How to Find Hidden Cameras on Your Airbnb
When you live in someone else’s house, there is something to think about. Will they kill me? Can I dine in my bedroom so I don’t have to talk to them? And … are there hidden cameras waiting to catch me naked?
There is no foolproof way to make sure you don’t have a camera in your home, but here are the steps you can try:
Use a flashlight
Turn off the lights in the room and turn on the flashlight (your phone will do as well). Look for light bouncing off the camera lens. According to Digital Trends , this will help you spot lenses that are otherwise hidden in shadow.
Open all drawers and cabinets
Many spy devices are tiny, but some need a little space to hold their guts. Drawers, wardrobes and bedside tables are worth checking out.
Watch attentively
People have found devices hiding in a wide variety of places, but they are rarely invisible; Sometimes, say, an alarm clock with bugs looks somehow strange. Is there a bump or extra detail that you weren’t expecting? A hole you can’t explain? Take a closer look.
Check network
If your device uses Wi-Fi to send data back to your sloppy host, you can sometimes find that data as it travels through the air. We’ve suggested a script that you can run from your computer to find Wi-Fi cameras and even send them a disconnect signal. (There are also apps that claim to do the same.)
Finding hidden cameras is hard work no matter what. There is no guarantee that if it is, you will find it (using this script or in some other way), so the appearance of an empty one may not reassure you very much. And if your script catches a possible camera, but you can’t find it, you won’t be able to tell if it’s in your apartment or in your neighbors’ apartment.
What should I do if I find a hidden camera?
It is Airbnb’s policy that hosts must disclose the presence of any surveillance devices in the House Rules, and they must let you know if they are actively recording. (Guests are not allowed to configure any device to spy on hosts.)
If your rental has cameras, Airbnb says you can cancel your reservation and get full refund .