New policy camera

[Jessica3398]

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As a relatively new Airbnb host who rents rooms in my home, I've found peace of mind in having cameras installed. They not only make me feel safer but also enhance the security for my guests. There have been instances where the cameras have helped me detect and prevent theft, which might have otherwise gone unnoticed.I believe that the presence of cameras encourages better behavior among guests, as they are aware of being monitored. However, I fully respect the importance of privacy and ensure that cameras are never installed in private areas such as bedrooms or bathrooms. Instead, they are positioned in shared spaces like living rooms, kitchens, and hallways.Recently, I reached out to Airbnb to express my concerns about their new policy regarding indoor cameras. Their response indicated that they would reconsider if more hosts shared similar sentiments. I'm confident that by voicing our experiences and concerns collectively, we can prompt Airbnb to take action on this issue.I'll share Airbnb's response to my message for transparency. Let's continue to advocate for the safety and comfort of both hosts and guests within the Airbnb community.

**[Content removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines- Please note that it is not allowed to share Airbnb investigation and private conversations]

[Kia272]

@Marie8425  It's not discrimination.  Discrimination means that AirBnB has singled you out for treatment that is different from how they are treating others. This is an across the board policy that applies to everyone. 

You are perfectly free to rent rooms in your home using a number of different methods to secure renters. If you don't like AirBnB's policies, you don't have to use their platform. 

Pretty simple. 

[Jessica3398]

I believe we all have the right to voice out our concerns and Airbnb might change their mind about this policy if enough people voice out their disagreement to the new camera policy. 

[Marie8425]

Discrimination is when I do something legal for my safety and though it does not harm Airbnb or the Guest, it is decided I can not participante on Airbnb.  That is discrimination. 

[Kia272]

Incorrect

[Steve2584]

Exactly what is your problem? How is being forthcoming, having non privacy invading safety measures and liability/blame accuracy protection, a problem for you??

[Marie8425]

Discrimination is a policy that prevents equal use  of the platform. Disability is not a chorice but I do many things as possible to be able to participante i n life.  It would not be fair of me to tell someone  you have to rent from me because   I am disabled.  It is not fair for Airbnb to say I can't rent rooms to anyone because my accomodations make them uncomfortable.  I    don't have any cameras in the sections my guest rooms are, if they don't come in the main room they are only recorded outside.  The interior cameras for me are to allow  me to be safe and comfortable in my private residence.  None of my guest have ever commented or complained.  Why can I not rent rooms on Airbnb then?

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Marie8425 The policy for shared homes might be daft, and hopefully it will be revisited, but the one that it is not is discriminatory. To answer your last question: You cannot (post June 6) rent rooms on Airbnb because you choose not to comply with their policies. This is your right and if all shared home follow suit then it might encourage Airbnb to revisit the rules.

[Marie8425]

I am sorry but any policy    that is harmful to someone for reasons of comfort for another not protection of another is discriminatory.  It is harmful for me to not have an interior camera for my safety regardless of whether I rent rooms or not,  The fact that I have a camera in my kitchen, that I make known so Guests have the right to say yes or no.  The fact that no harm has come to any guests in my two years hosting on Airbnb.  Results in the fact that it is discrimination to tell me go to another platform you do not have a free choice.

[Marie8425]

I do not have a problem disclosing so a Guest can choose.  I do have a problem with my equal right to choose what I am offering being taken away.  

[Kia272]

"Discrimination is a policy that prevents equal use  of the platform."

Once again, incorrect. 

[Andrea2460]

Sorry I am replying so late but I am just seeing this.  @Marie8425 is correct.  It is LEGAL discrimination.  Marie is in a protected class under ADA, American with Disabilities Act, due to her disability.  The cameras are necessary to overcome the disability and Airbnb's policy discriminates against her ability to use the platform.  My understanding is that she was given a personal exemption by AirBnB.

[Marie8425]

Yes Airbnb gave me a written exemption  for the two cameras in  my main living area because yes  my  cameras monitor me,

Which   speaks to   the fact that everyone has their cameras for their unique reasons.

I, personally think if energy was focused on one reason  rather than our opinions of many reasons, you  would actually have an Arbitration winning  argument

Airbnb  new rule is to  "Protect Guest Privacy".

That implies to the Guest they have"priivaaacy" to  be  "Protected".

Not  necessarily true if you  use   my   hallway to go to your room, my husband or another guest  may enter the hallullo  at the  same time with  no  announcement..

So  what   "Privacy" is being "Protected""?

[Steve2584]

Provide your Master's degree in discord please. 

[Steve2584]

Are YOU going to pay for the burned up stovetop, the shattered TV, the entire contents of the freezer left wide open for 14 hours, the flood damage from the sink faucet left running and overflowing... since there are 3 people possibly responsible, so a claim for damage to airbnb cant occur because no proof exists of the person  to blame? It's not discrimination, as you say, but try to have airbnb cover any of the above and see what response you get. You're out of line. If people object to non-private area safety devices then THEY CAN CHOOSE ELSEWHERE TO CONDUCT THEIR APPARENT ILLICIT INTENTIONED BEHAVIORS. This is the proper attitude, not yours.😒

[Robin4]

@Jessica3398 

It takes a special type of person to be a short term rental host! While 97% of people around the world strive to find ways of keeping strangers out of their properties, we hosts actually invite strangers in!

My feeling is, if you are paranoid that every guest who steps over your threshold is a potential thief and needs to be constantly monitored, then hosting is not for you. You have to trust not just the guests but your own judgement in who you select to share your property with.

In over 850 guest stays there is less than a handful I would not welcome back here again.....and I don't have any cameras, internal or external!

Once a guest pays to enter your property they have an expectation of absolute privacy, and if that is a problem for you......then find another way to make a buck!

You say you respect guests privacy but you have cameras in common areas, living rooms, kitchens, hallways.....really! I know friends who sleep uncluttered by nighttime clothing. Is it a requirement that they travel with a nightgown and keep it on hand in case they want to visit the kitchen for a glass of water in the middle of the night??

No guest wants to be spied on and no matter where you position an internal camera you are compromising a guests enjoyment to that property.

I am not a thief, I have never knowingly stolen anything in my life, I am not an exhibitionist, I am not into secret relationships or undeclared parties.......but there is no way I would ever book an Airbnb property with cameras......and if I arrived to find a camera, disclosed or not, I would leave immediately and require a refund. 

If you can't trust your guests, you don't belong in the hosting community!

Cheers.........Rob