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?

[Jason1751]

This Policy just made good hosts into bad ones 

[Astri513]

I agree. This is totally stupid. I rent out a room in a condo that I own and live in myself.  I have an alarm system with cameras facing towards the entrance and patio doors, as a part of the alarm system. Even I don't have access to the cameras, they are operated by the alarm company and only send them still photos in case of fire or an intruder. They will then send out police, fire fighters, ambulances or check out the place themselves, depending of the situation. As a single woman living by myself, I have installed this system not to check what the guests do, but to protect me from fire, burglars and other intruders (have had a couple of stalkers).

I contacted Airbnb, and they even called me to explain that I have to remove them. I tried to explain to them that these cameras are operated by the alarm company,not me, but that didn’t help. Then I asked them directly: "So you really think that I should die in a fire in my own home, just to make the five guests that I have per year feel safe?" 

They promised to come back to me with more information, but I haven’t really heard anything. I will definitely delist the place after my last guest in June, a booking done before the new policy that Airbnb said that I didn’t need to cancel.

[Sissi36]

We have exactly the same situation. if airbnb commits to adhering to such strict policy, then they should also commit to covering all potential losses/damages resulting from the removal of a security camera, including the period when the space is not used for airbnb guests. otherwise, it is an Overlord Clause. We also plan to delist our rooms.

[Andrea2460]

Can I quote you in my press release

[Andrea2460]

I am planning to write a press release.  Can I quote you in the press release.

[Sergio1816]

Todos los que opinan que no alquilarían una estancia con cámaras, se nota que nunca han sido anfitriones de un alojamiento por HABITACIONES. No es la primera vez que te encuentras al huésped hurgando entre tus cosas, poniéndose tus zapatos o simplemente rompiendo algo. Solo pensáis en alojamientos completos. Os recuerdo que muchos de los anuncios de airbnb es por habitaciones y está policía es abusiva y vulnera la seguridad del anfitrión. Airbnb no se hace responsable de los robos!!

[Filippo489]

This rule is totally unfair. I have rent 6 rooms (with 6 listings) that I rent in my guesthouse that I manage like a small hotel. The indoor camera is at the bottom of the stairs in a shared space area and it helps managing my propriety and make me feel safe when I'm not there. This is clearly stated and there are even signs pointing at the camera, nobody ever complained about this. Now I had to remove my listings after 11 years of working with airbnb and being a superhost, but still I have to respect the reservations I already accepted after the 30th of April, cause airbnb refuse to delete them. I'm not removing my camera but if the guests complains about it I might incur in some problems. This is totally unfair, is there a petition or something we can sign to oppose this? Meanwhile I'll keep on working with booking.com which is better and a lot more professional.

[Andrea2460]

If we all delist on April 30 it would demonstrate an act of solidarity.

[Johannes103]

I send airbnb message thus regard. My indoor cameras are in PUBLIC SHARED SPACES Re: lounge. Bar. Hallway,

 Frontdoor, Dinning area. With this law they say. "After consulting the issue telephonicley "

They must differentiate between. IN DOOR PRIVATE spaces and INDOOR PUBLIC SHARE areas.

They will comeback to me. But it seems decision have been made without brainstorming. 

If it does not change they can delist me. Hopefully they will look at this again..

In my country if it is not secure or nailed down stuff dissapeared. 

[Michael8768]

The title of this post suggests dissatisfaction or disagreement with the recently implemented security camera policy. It implies the policy to be unfair, impractical, or overly strict (i.e. imposes unnecessary restrictions or fails to adequately address certain concerns)

First as hosts, in my opinion we all want Airbnb to be very successful. Thus, I am very receptive to this overbearing change, but I am disappointed they are not working towards an exception policy or a working with hosts on their potential needs.

I installed a camera in an equipment/utility closet for environmental monitoring. Specifically, the closet where the water main shutoff valve, sump pump and a generator switch are installed. The camera gave additional tool for assessment of house security during and after storms. This camera was documented in the listing for this purpose. It cannot detect sounds outside of the closet unless someone is yelling loud enough to go through a wall, you would get muffled sounds or you hear the sump pump or water high level alarms going off. Also the camera software by wyse detects fire alarms and sends an alert the fire alarms were tripped.

I am primarily disappointed by the repeated interactions with support personnel who fail to provide their name, department, or a means of contacting the previous representative. I kept a log over 25 conversations with almost a different person on each conversation, 50% didn't leave a unique name, they claim to be in all different departments, they tell me they are escalating to other departments and then come back and tell me the rules are the rules (not those exact words, but essentially what they are saying.) There is NO EXCEPTION policies and no way to discuss with anyone your potential needs or potential options to have such environmental monitoring. Giving them pictures of the installation, any proofs of what I stated above, discussing how if the property was a multifamily unit and the equipment closet was outside of the "listing" seems completely ignored.

My belief is the support teams are not empowered to go outside of the rules, escalate to a team capable of considering exceptions... they are just powerless. I am removing the camera until I can actually discuss my needs and concerns with someone of any authority who can provide a meaningful resolution or address my situation appropriately. It's disheartening and frustrating to encounter such a lack of flexibility and understanding in the way support handles legitimate host concerns.

[Anoop16]

In my past decades of career what I have learnt from my seniors or is universally known that any organisation is managed and run by it's resources and for Airbnb it is the hosts and Not The Guests. If there are no hosts worldwide, how will they have source of income which in my opinion is the major chunk. And surprisingly inspite of so much of hue and cry no review of the unreasonable policy is being done. Are there no gentle thinkers? No focus on the grave issue. Hope wisdom prevails on Airbnb. Thanks 

[Share0]

I will no longer have guests from Airbnb starting this month on the 28th. My safety and peace of mind comes 1st.

[Andrea2460]

If we all delist on April 30 it would demonstrate an act of solidarity

[Anoop16]

I have a few days ago tapped the CEO of Airbnb on X (Twitter) and on LinkedIn too appealing him to review the policy as there is a lot of resentment in the host community. I mentioned that the Airbnb is by the host and not the guest. So it needs to be viewed very seriously also because there would have hardly been any complaints from the guests on this account rather host have had many encounters of guest behaviour and follow of house rules etc. But alas there is no comeback from him. I suggest all to write to him and appeal for policy review. His Twitter handle is @bchesky. Thanks

[Anoop16]

I have for 10 days to start with and wait for the response