New security camera policy is unreasonable

[Conrad76]

I presume all hosts received an email from Airbnb about security cameras, in which it says, "You’re not allowed to have cameras that monitor indoor spaces." That is completely unfair. The basic Abode security system that I have has a motion sensor with a camera that takes a snapshot if the sensor is triggered when the alarm is on, to get a picture of who or what is moving in the hallway. I disclose this in my listing, and I have a small curtain that guests can pull to cover the camera if they are concerned about privacy. Airbnb is essentially forcing me to get a different security system. How are other hosts dealing with this?

[Reina173]

where is the documentation that backs that up?

[Don5618]

My situation in Kelowna is pretty much identical. Here is my interaction with Airbnb:

BtB_DCB
Airbnb is being very authoritarian and is over reaching by imposing their views while actually putting our guests and ourselves at hosts at risk. I already reached out to them and got a non-sense condescending response. I believe the following excerpts will help give everyone better perspective on this important issue:

AirBnB is imposing rules regarding indoor security cameras that will compromise the security of our guest and ourselves as hosts. The response we got included this ludicrous statement: “Our goal is to make sure that you get the best experience without compromising the policies we have in place. I understand that it’s a bit disheartening at this point, however, we are bound to abide by certain regulations.” In short tough luck but we are going to do it our way. This was not at all helpful.
Below is my response: “You made the policy without full consideration and to my knowledge without full consultation. To suggest that compromising our ability to provide security at our B&B is a bit “disheartening” is plain a silly understatement when your policy is utterly arbitrary. The camera I refer to is no different than one in an apartment lobby yet in our B&B where security is every bit as important you disallow it. This is erroneous and excessive interference in our business. As we are unwilling to compromise our guests or our personal safety we feel we have no choice at this time other than to block our Calendars beyond April 30, 2024. We urge you to reconsider this excessive and poorly drafted policy.”

[Julie1019]

Same. If the cams are disclosed, anyone who is uncomfortable with that can book elsewhere. The thing that sets Airbnb apart is that many of us are also staying in the home!!

[Sherri176]

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Ask-about-your-listing/Camera-ban-will-affect-shared-spaces-in-q...

[Jessica3739]

As a single female living alone I find this policy change extremely concerning.

I list out a room and only have cameras in the shared spaces (living room/kitchen and outside). The only cameras on at all times are the outdoor ones, indoor are only on when I’m not on the premises - which isn’t a lot.

Why are we expected to remove our security in our personal homes to make guests “feel better”? They are strangers coming into our homes, they should expect some form of security measures in the house.

Also, I not only get peace of mind from having the cameras, but I get a sense of surety that my animals and belongings are ok. I have previously checked my cameras while guests were staying and caught them rummaging around in my belongings. Luckily they were just looking and didn’t take anything. Without the cameras I wouldn’t have known.

On top of all of the above, these people know where you live. They have had access to your home. If you don’t have some form of smart door lock or re-codeable door lock, they can get into your home after the booking has ended. What are you to do if they come back, let themselves in and steal from you, or worse.

Security is not just there for when guests are in your home. It is there to protect you after as well!

The change to this policy is ridiculous.

Airbnb is happy to use people’s homes to make billions but won’t support those people when they want to protect their homes, themselves and their families from unruly guests, theft and damage.

[Suzzan0]

I agree with you 100 %  I will be deleting my listing April 30th bc I won't feel safe without my cameras in the common areas. Im single also and live alone and will not support Airbnb when they can care less for my safety. I offered to remove all common areas so the guests can rent the room only which has a mini fridge and microwave and other thing for them to use and they wrote me back saying I would still have to remove all indoor cameras.

NOT DOING THAT

[Steve2584]

No need to do that. They are allowing cams in shared areas of places renting rooms. 

[Julie1019]

Incorrect. I have a private home that i live in and rent two bedrooms. I just confirmed with Airbnb and i am not allowed to have ANY cameras inside even if they are unplugged. 

[Julie1019]

 

[Share0]

Check your state laws regarding recording in a public space. 

[Share0]

[Share0]

Last year Airbnb created a policy where in shared homes the hosts must have a common area included rather than a bedroom and bathroom. 

[Phil4837]

Security cameras are primarily just that, security cameras.
They are designed to protect the security of a building in the event of an emergency. My particular home is a 2+ million dollar house in a coveted area in the Hollywood Hills of California. I am renting a few days every month and for much of the other time the building may be left empty. We had a homeless drug addict break in recently and stay there for four days, vandalizing the house and causing thousands of dollars damage. He ripped out the internet but fortunately due to the security cameras we were able to provide the police with footage that helped them apprehend the culprit.

In Los Angeles 30% of all crimes are break-ins at this time according to the police.
 
Airbnb have decided to make a one size fits all ruling due to a few violations of privacy and apply them to everyone concerned. That is not smart, nor wise.

My security cameras are only operative there for the protection of the house when there is no one guested there. I have no interest in activating or recording any kind of footage while we are hosting. None of the system records any audio whatsoever.

My cameras are fully disclosed and fully visible, and I provide mechanism whereby the guests themselves are able to physically shroud the cameras for security and privacy. They have all accepted that without exception, and if they are not comfortable they are welcome to go elsewhere.
You cannot expect somebody to rip out a multi thousand dollar security system that protects a property during down time just to comply with a few bad violations in a "one size fits all" solution at their end. Why don't Airbnb address those violations with the hosts that are accused, and let people do what they have to do?

My motivation is not to provide income for the company, but to rent out my home for a few days here and there. My motivation above that is for the protection of my home against the rapidly escalating environment of crime, which has been allowed to take place.

I am sure that anyone else with desirable properties is going to be giving a tremendous amount of pushback, and I would be very happy to organize myself with individuals against this very badly thought out idea.

Perhaps Airbnb in exchange would be willing to extend to me an insurance that if my house gets broken into when no one is there that they will be completely liable for any damage that occurs?

I have a great deal of problem with this. I'm willing to motivate myself with the community with the property owners on whom they depend on for their business.
 
This ruling only helps provide the company with business but with total disregard for properties that they do not own.

I cannot have my house burned down by homeless vagrants just to satisfy Airbnb's ill thought out conditions.

[Mark5412]

Possibly the most terrible policy implementation i have ever witnessed. Its clear Airbnb did not run a consultation with any hosts around the globe. 

We have raised a complaint as we have a house alarm provided by a well know professional installer. Their PIR sensors have cameras that are activated by movement only when activated. There are 2 devices one in the hall and one in the lounge. The alarm is deactivated when we have guests and they have covers built in. 

Our first enquiry to airbnb was a standard remove them. We have raised a complaint. Airbnb are effectively asking us to leave our home unprotected and liable to squatters. (A real risk where we are) We have asked them to review the policy and/or accept liability and legal fees if we are broken into. They are thinking….

There is also no guidance on any of the following cameras. Hence why i say this policy is poorly thought through. And you might not think you have a camera but don’t be so sure. 

A. Laptop either yours or provided for guests to use. Most have webcams and can be used as security devices. Allowed or not? 
B. Alexa Show or other smart screen. Have a camera. Can be used as a security device. 
C. TVs sometimes have cameras. 

D. Technically you could have a camera outside pointing inside and as long as you disclose the location it’s allowed. 

Any of these could fall outside or inside the policy. 

If you are a hotel you can have cameras in common spaces. If you are a host renting a bedroom you can’t. So a hotels team safety and security is worth more than their private hosts. 

Nothing in this policy stops the route cause which is a tiny % of hidden cameras in private spaces. Which I totally agree should not be allowed. All the policy does is provide a clear route to dismiss a host if any camera is found. Hidden or otherwise.

Raise an official complaint as Conrad suggests. We will be delisting if this is not resolved with more sense. 

[Will3749]

I totally agree, I have seen some crazy things  occur at my listing that I would have never been aware of without my common space camera. Though I never reported it, at least it allow me to decided how to proceed with such said individual if they decide to extend. This new policy doesn’t protect the host at all.