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?

[Share0]

I am a well traveled and cultured women. I love coming home to my personal home and sharing it with mainly international guests and like minded guests. My home isn't for everyone. 

[Miranda369]

Yes, I agree. I have common areas for up to 5 guests in my home as I have 2 rooms, and 2 campers I rent. Last year I was attempted sexually assaulted by a guest so now all exterior  bedroom doors have cameras to monitor who goes in an out. The front door is monitored from 3 angles as well which covers shared guest spaces. Last year wasnt the first time I had issues with a guest either. This is a potential hazardous policy. Airbnb likes to do absolutely nothing for super hosts but say "thanks for being a super host." Now they are risking our safety.

[Jessica3739]

Hi all,

After a lot of worrying about what to do with this situation, I rang Airbnb only to be told indoor cameras are allowed as long as they are detailed in the listing. 

To avoid any confusion I asked the support person to confirm it in writing via email and message. Please see below (I have blanked out customer messages and the support agent's name for privacy and to adhere to the community center guidelines).

I hope this helps to clear up our confusion because this has been ridiculous. 

**

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

[Quincy]

Hi @Jessica3739! I saw your reply on another thread where I've replied to, but, I'll share the message here as well for visibility. 

It seems like there's some confusion. As per the security camera policy update, this policy applies to all types of listings globally. Please note that security cameras are not allowed to be placed inside or to monitor any indoor spaces of a listing, and this includes common spaces of private room listings. This policy will take effect on April 30, allowing Hosts time to come into compliance of the said policy.

[Wesleigh0]

For further clarification it don’t apply to all listings hotels guest houses are exempt.

from camera ban and don’t have to disclose they have them.

 

[Jessica3739]

I’m not sure where you replied to me “elsewhere” as I have not posted “elsewhere” with this information.

[Conrad76]

I think that Support person just isn't aware of the new policy -- they are just stating the policy that existed before the new one that goes into effect April 30.

[Jessica3739]

I do not understand why the picture was removed as it wasn’t a private conversation, it is a support request through a large entity therefore any of the Airbnb staff can see and it is not private. ANYWAY here is the text that the support agent sent me:

”

Hi Jessica,

Please be informed that you are allowed to keep cameras, but you have to clearly mentioned in your listing description about the cameras location and areas where the cameras are placed to aware prior to the guest so that it will be no complaints about the cameras.

I'm really glad I could help, Jessica. It's been great speaking with you—thanks for being a guest in our community! Please go ahead and select “No, I’m Done” and it will close this conversation thread.

Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any other questions.

Best Regards,”

on numerous occasions throughout the call I asked if this is effective past April 30th. I was assured the policy would allow me to keep my internal cameras. I’ve also noted the date and confirmation of the permissions on my listing.

If the support agents are providing false information that is an entirely new problem that hosts should be complaining about as it puts us in a precarious position by telling us one thing then making us do another. 

[Miranda369]

Well thank you, as I have private areas in my home then im just going to go with this. The only guest to ever complain was kicked out anyways, an my cameras are obvious. I dont feel safe without them because of several incidents. Im just not specifying them on airbnb only outdoor cameras for which I have signage posted also. 

[Michelle1588]

Thank you for sharing Jessica. The hate is real. I believe you - as I have also received all kinds of conflicting information on various issues, including the camera issues, from support. May the force be with us! 

[Share0]

I also called Airbnb earlier this week to argue, I am a shared house host. Guests stay in a private bedroom with all other spaces are shared with myself, family and other guests. I have 2 visable indoor cameras in my shared foyers/ halls. The rep told me to disregard the letter since I have my own private spaces in the home, where guests are not allowed and the shared home cameras are monitoring my private spaces and hallways and doors. Once the guests steps out their private bedrooms the shared hallways are fair game. As a female host I wouldn't feel comfortable sharing my home. I asked the rep to send me an email confirmation and she did.

[Share0]

 

[Share0]

 

[Elaine701]

We don't have indoor cameras and never will. 

However, all it takes is a guest to affix something resembling a camera on a wall, take a photo and report it to Airbnb (one day before their departure). Poof! You're suspended, if not delisted, and the guest gets a refund (minus Airbnb commissions, of course). 

The "Get free stays on Airbnb" blogs will be having a heyday with this one. 

[Danny37]

Airbnb is discriminating against room rental listing hosts, favoring hotels.

Hotels are allowed to utilize security cameras in all common areas, however room rental hosts in a houseshare are not allowed and are banned as of April 30, 2024.

Room rental hosts and their guests, have greatly benefited from the use of security cams in the common areas of a houseshare, cutting down on sexual assaults, armed robbery, murder, aggravated assaults, internal thefts, illegal drug dealing, drug use, and more.

As of April 30, 2024. Guests will no longer have a sense of security with renting rooms in an unsecured houseshare. Fact is, that many guests will seek out house-shares with security cameras for their stays. I being one of them. I refuse to rent a room in a houseshare that isn’t acting in the best interest of their guests security.

Such discrimination practices of favoritism of such, will benefit hotels only. With disregard to room listing hosts or guests.

It is a proven fact, that security cams are a criminal act deterrent. Therefore, Airbnb is not only discriminatory in its decision to ban security cameras in houseshare common areas but is also opening themselves up to possible legal actions and law suits, should it be proven that a sexual assault, murder, robbery, drug overdoses and more,  may not have happened if current security cams in listings were not banned.

Be advised that such discriminatory practice of any kind is adverse to the principles of the founding members Airbnb mission statement. Hosts have relied on this mission statement in building their short term rental businesses. Airbnb is now a publicly traded stock offering company and is bound by SEC regulations. There could be possible violations with any act of preferential treatment or discriminatory act.