Airbnb denote in March that all indoor security measure camera would be ban at its propertiesworldwidestarting April 30 . And if you understand through on-line complaint about tv camera that were find during Airbnb stays over the years , it ’s easy to understand why it ’s been such a controversial exit .
Gizmodo file a Freedom of Information Act request with the FTC for any consumer complaints filed about Airbnb that involve cameras . Some of the ailment are reasonably terrene , and but mention how camera may have been used to prove things that break the rule at Airbnb properties . But others are pretty frightful and involve hidden cameras in places where citizenry expect privacy .
One of the complaints from someone in Seattle who was visiting South Korea in 2023 reads , “ During the course of study of our stay we discover that the television camera at the entry that was only reckon to record the front door actually had 360 transcription capabilities in addition to sound recording and night mode . ”
Image: Gizmodo / Shutterstock (Shutterstock)
Another charge from 2022 alleges that an Airbnb horde “ confessed ” to have cameras , “ in every inch of this sign , ” including the bedchamber . When the guest told the host that it was illegal , he allegedly replied , “ sue me then . ”
Still , another charge from 2023 explains , “ My husband and I had a romantic moment on the lounge and we believe they had tv camera inside the theater and register us . ” The complaint continue by expressing concern that intimate act could ’ve been memorialise and see by multitude outside the home .
One of the weirder stories comes from someone who alleges their family was being watch by cameras in their Airbnb holding and was complaining amongst themselves , only to incur a text message from the boniface discuss their secret conversation .
Hidden camera have always been banned at Airbnb , but cameras in public areas like living rooms were allowed . Airbnb will officially ban all indoor camera at its property worldwide at the end of this month . And the company points out that there ’s been at least one case in the past when someone thought they found a obscure camera , but it was actuallyjust a wall wall plug .
“ We enforce strict insurance governing the use of security department camera on Airbnb , including recently announce a ban on indoor cameras in listings and more comprehensive rule for outdoor cameras , ” an Airbnb spokesperson tell Gizmodo via email . “ When a possible assault of our policies is report to us , we take that seriously , leave support for our community , investigate the allegement , and may set aside or remove user or list . With over 1.5 billion check - Immigration and Naturalization Service on Airbnb to date , issues are incredibly uncommon . ”
Gizmodo obtain 111 complaints stretching back five years and we ’ve published a sample of those complaints below . The FTC has couch personal selective information , which is stock practice in these kinds of FOIA requests , make it impossible to independently verify each claim . Gizmodo has added emphasis in the areas of each ill that mention photographic camera and we ’ve made very sluttish edits for capitalization and punctuation just for legibility . The nub of the complaints has n’t been changed .
“The seller confessed to me that, ‘I have cameras in every inch of this house…’”
December 2023
Consumer location : Montgomery , Alabama
On December 27 , 2022 I book a reservation on Airbnb with the seller [ redacted ] . The confirmation code is [ redacted ] . This was booked a year ago , I am only writing a ill now because recently I read how how wicked and creepy the seller is . To part off , when I first condition in to this Airbnb everything look perfect to the naked eye . The marketer receive me in and started some undesirable conversation . I did n’t intellect because some hoi polloi just do n’t bed that they are n’t like and they are inconvenience multitude .
My debit entry scorecard ending in [ redacted ] was charged $ 428.41 on December 27 , 2022 . The amount cover 14 nights and whatever fees Airbnb get across . To get to the independent point of this complaint is the seller confess a confession to me and this confession reveals how creepy-crawly the seller turned out to be . The marketer confessed to me that , “ I have cameras in every column inch of this house ” ? ? This included the chamber , etc . When I told him it ’s illegal and , he answer , “ sue me then . ” According to Airbnb , I interpret that camera are not allowed unless they are disclosed in the list . They were not , if the were , do you think I would have book ? So the seller has been breaking the rules . I think Airbnb should take disciplinal action against the vender [ redacted ] and since the listing was n’t as key I should be give back . I ca n’t just facilitate but just look back at the sentence I was just cool in my bedchamber or wherever and the weirdo [ cast ] was just watch me .
“We noticed the camera had fully turned around…”
October 2023
Consumer emplacement : Seattle , Washington
My booster and I booked an Airbnb for a marriage ceremony in April 2023 . The wedding ceremony took place Sept 21 - 26 in Seoul during which fourth dimension we had booked this accommodation . Upon checking in we mistrust that the Airbnb was not legally registered but as there was no other adjustment to be found for our grouping we had no choice but to stay .
During the course of our stay we discover that the camera at the entrance that was only supposed to commemorate the front threshold actually had 360 recording capableness in accession to audio and night mode . We noticed the camera had in full turned around and was now lawlessly tape into the living way and a private bathroom / bathing space without our consent . We raised the issue with the server and Airbnb and require for the footage , which she refused to leave .
My understanding is that in South Korea ( as well as in the US where Airbnb is a registered business ) enter anyone without their consent is a federal violation , much less illegally memorialize them while naked in a washup space . The unit in interrogation is located at : [ redacted ]
Airbnb has refuse to issue a full repayment despite the Federal Privacy Law and its own concealment insurance policy violations . In summation , despite being provide with evidence showing the cameras 360 transcription potentiality , along with night mode and audio transcription , as well as pictures showing the tv camera lens ’s direct line of sight into a can with meth wall and a secret livelihood blank , Airbnb has go to produce any of the footage recorded during our stay . This is role player in extra to a criminal offense as member of our political party were illegally show while bathing without their consent .
“But when my friend covered the camera inside the room to take a shower, the landlord cast them out…”
June 2023
Consumer localization : Jersey City , New Jersey
I hold Airbnb from June 14 to June 18 for my friends to exist in New York City . The full amount is $ 1,211.93 . The confirmation figure is [ put ] . However , this flat we rent was soiled . There are used masks hang there , trash not cleaned , lav is so dirty that my champion spend half 60 minutes to houseclean . The bed sail was pilling , and there were only two pillow for four people . The blanket were unfolded and put in the W.C. carelessly . Plus , there is a camera tightening on a chair INSIDE the way to watch a closet . I reach Airbnb the next day and want to strike down this trip but failed . The Airbnb state it had n’t touched their ground line . But when my friend continue the camera inside the way to take a rain shower , the landlord stray them out by threatening to call the police for they profane the house rules . What I want is to get the money of remain two nights back . I endeavor to get hold of Airbnb , but they said the landlord refuse to return the money , and they ca n’t do anything about it . So I have to postulate HELP from BBB . What I want is to get the two nights money back , which is $ 500 .
“I never said anything to them about not enjoying my stay, just to my family in the home.”
October 2020
Consumer emplacement : Memphis , Tennessee
Airbnb has boniface that are watching and listening to their guest . I was say the security tv camera with no audio was for surety purposes only , but I get a text subject matter about the blanket that were on the lounge my son was log Z’s on . Later we were discussing our discomfort for the piazza and how we felt we were being check , we get another text message , while attending a wedding , about how they excuse that we did n’t enjoy our halt . I never order anything to them about not enjoy my halt , just to my family in the home . That type of stuff is n’t correct , and to come contract a 1000 that was already prune just did it for me . Do not rent out your dwelling if you do n’t require people in it , or was it because we were black ? I do n’t acknowledge , but Airbnb call for to do something and they are not occupy this serious . I never had these character of problems with booking.com .
“The listing did NOT disclose cameras in the bedrooms…”
July 2019
Consumer placement : Queens , New York
I stayed in a rental attribute list on Airbnb in St. Peterburg , Russia from July 11th until July 17th . Once we get to the apartment , we learned that every room in the apartment , excluding the bathrooms , had camera . The gimmick were monovular in every elbow room . When someone would take the air underneath the tv camera , a little red sparkle would go on . to boot , we heard a thin shutter auditory sensation , as if a shutter was opening in the eye . I contacted Airbnb who guide an investigation . The results were as trace :
-The listing expose cameras in the [ couch ] vulgar areas , [ redacted ] such as the hall . ( The living room had a photographic camera which was not disclosed )
– The listing did NOT disclose tv camera in the sleeping accommodation , as having photographic camera in the bedrooms would violate Airbnb ’s rule
– Airbnb concluded that the devices in the bedroom were NOT recording devices . to boot , they say that the devices in the bedrooms were DIFFERENT from the devices in the rest of the apartment .
What I need to read is the following :
– How did Airbnb conclude that the devices were different ? Did they conduct an on - website investigation ? I not only have photo validation of the cameras , the cameras can also be plainly seen in the itemisation ’s photos . The devices were identical in every way .
– If Airbnb concluded that the devices in the bedroom were NOT surveillance devices , what are they ? IN ADDITION to the apartment having cameras , we were charged a $ 119.20 cleansing fee per night , a totality of The host did NOT clean the apartment during our integral duration of the stay . We should not have been charged for this .
Airbnb refunded me for one night ’ worth of stay at $ 175.04 . I am requesting the pursuit :
– A refund for the full duration of the stay , $ 1252.98 .
– AT THE VERY LEAST , if this investigation does n’t unearth any extra information due to Airbnb ’s refusal to share selective information about the investigating , I ’m requesting a refund for the cleansing fee of $ 119.20 considering no cleaning fill shoes .
– I ’m also requesting that my review of my stay be posted . presently Airbnb does not appropriate user to post reviews of their stay UNTIL THE HOST also relegate of review of the user . As you could imagine , the host will not retrospect me because she does n’t want people to have a negative inspection on her listing : The listing not only mentions the cameras , but also talks about her sub - par performance as a host . People need to eff that there are camera in the bedrooms : Airbnb ’s investigation is shady and if you do a elementary Google search , you will see that many other masses have had this exit . The emcee does not have any negative reviews . I find it heavy to believe that she ’s had multiple people appease at her flat without anyone noticing ( or CARING ) about the fact that there were cameras in the bedrooms . Airbnb is not stake my review due to their knocker - for - Thematic Apperception Test limited review system , which is a more often than not unfair system overall . It does not advance the user to be open an good , because if they leave behind a minus limited review , they will receive a negative one in payoff .
“Adding to the discomfort and violation of our privacy, we also discovered that there was a camera inside the property.”
May 2023
Waterdown , Ontario
I am writing to partake in an experience like no other that I of late had with an Airbnb property and its possessor . My family ( myself , my wife , our son and detent ) booked a property on Airbnb for a 5 hebdomad getaway , but upon arrival , we found ourselves in an unsafe neighborhood that made us experience uncomfortable and uneasy . We raise our concerns with the owner , but they refuse to receipt the egress and claim that the area was perfectly good .
Due to our concerns about refuge , we made the difficult decision not to stay in the property . However , when we reached out to discuss a repayment for our stay , the owner refused to supply any form of compensation and insist on keeping our entire defrayal of $ 4,800 .
Adding to the soreness and usurpation of our privacy , we also find out that there was a tv camera inside the property . This was not disclosed in the listing or during the engagement summons , which made us feel even more uneasy about our experience . The proprietor insisted it was break , but we could n’t help but wonder were there more cameras ?
What ’s even more concerning is that the owner was able to rent the place to other parties during the prison term of our stay . Airbnb allowed them to keep our money , in effect give up them to make double the amount for the same period ( we have screenshots of this ) .
This experience has go out us feel discomfited and disappointed with Airbnb , as well as come to for the safety and well - being of other traveler who may encounter like state of affairs . It ’s unacceptable for an Airbnb legion to dismiss the concerns of their guests , decline to do to a sane solution , and withhold payment for a serving that was not translate .
I hope that sharing this experience with CBC News will help raise [ redact ] about the grandness of safety and transparence in the Airbnb industry , and encourage Airbnb to take appropriate military action to ensure that their innkeeper prioritize the well - being of their guests .
We have tried tirelessly to get some variety of recompense through Airbnb , the master of ceremonies and our credit placard company ( they lift the bursting charge but Airbnb did a chargeback )
Anything you could do to assist or recommended would be appreciated .
“My husband and I had a romantic moment on the sofa and we believe they had cameras inside the house and recorded us”
February 2023
Consumer locating : Michigan
We rent a cabin in Maggie Valley for 3 nights from Dec 23 - Dec 26 . We were a big group of champion and family with 3 cabin rented . Upon arrival we decided to apportion a repast together at our cabin . Shortly I start experience outcry from the host who tell there are 13 ppl in his cabin while the listing land understandably only 4 . I apologized and explained that we only wanted to divvy up a repast all together but I understand and everyone will impart immediately . He was on the speaker so everyone stood up and go out . briefly I receive another call from his married woman , demanding a FaceTime call so she can see the place . I answered and made a tour of duty of the place where she could see we were the only ppl in the cabin . But she was not satisfied with that , she part insulting us and treating us that she would call the police she will evacuate us and she will not give us any money back . After 10 minute of shout her husband has to take the headphone from her and hang up not before enjoin us he does n’t want to see not even 1 special person at his property . When asked , he admitted they have camera outside the cabin . In all this conversation , my tyke were scared and afraid that we will have to leave and notice another situation . That Nox the temperature was 1F ( -18C ) and we put the thermoregulator at 80 degrees . Next dawning we found the thermostat blocked with a PIN number ( which we did n’t know ) at 72F. The innkeeper never send us any message or anything , simply invaded our concealment and blockade the temperature . My Logos make sick and started bleeding from his nose so we had to churn water so he can inspire the steam to breath from the vapor and the steam the handle from the microwave oven above the stove got bubble . The legion placed a damage asking for $ 150 and few days later on another one for $ 150 cleaning the lounge . We repeatedly postulate Airbnb to tell us what validation they have for charge us $ 150 deep clean the sofa but no response was get . They rouse the circuit card $ 300 . My married man and I had a romantic minute on the lounge and we think they had photographic camera inside the menage and put down us . We are frightened that someone recorded us and could habituate this and even watching it .
“There was a camera inside the house inside the garage filming us…”
November 2023
Consumer location : Scottsdale , Arizona
We rented an Airbnb through the platform a house for tear in Scottsdale for $ 8,500 and when we arrived to the firm there was a photographic camera inside the planetary house inside the service department filming us . We were disturbed and notified the horde . Upon entering the star sign there was a very unattackable smell of chemical throughout the house . We try out to publicise it out by leaving the room access subject but it would n’t go off . We try at this point to cancel the reservation because of wellness concerns over the toxic olfactory perception as well as being uncomfortable with the television camera inside the garage .
The legion attempted to “ solve these problems ” but did not do so . The smell did not go away , and we did not palpate safe in the planetary house . We were forced to rent another home . We regard Airbnb to get a refund since the host refuse to issue us a refund . Airbnb ignore us and keep me on hold on 3 seperate outcry for 45 minute – 1 hour each time entirely discount our severe situation . After several substance they only replied 12 days later . They ignore our severe situations and resist to give us a repayment . We never stayed in the mansion for even 1 nights and they would not render our money $ 8,500 .
After multiple attempts to touch them they refuse to do anything about it and lie to us assure us they ca n’t do anything about it because it ’s the hosts repay policy . We have used them for 7 age and recognize for sure they can intervene in these situations and impel the hosts to issue a repayment . specially when it involves wellness and privacy / security issue . We were separate against and stonewalled . They in effect allowed this host to steal $ 8,500 dollar sign from us . We notified them on day 1 as shortly as it materialise . As well as the host . They refuse to cancel or refund us and preserve lying and making excuses why they had to keep our money .
“My daughter has dealt with past trauma that included cameras and this really hit home for us.”
Consumer location : Austin , Texas
My family and I booked a stay for a party of 7 to what we think would be the consummate place for our overnight stoppage in Houston . Upon arriving , we discover there were two security department camera place in the apartment ( they claimed it was a penthouse ) . One was outside the front door and the other was in the support elbow room . We would not have booked this stay had we known we would be watched . My girl has dealt with past trauma that let in cameras and this really reach home for us . When I reached out to Airbnb Support , I explained my position and let the Support Representative know about our issue via email . I excuse that we would not have booked this stay had we known about the camera . He share their insurance with me and told us the host listed the use of security cameras in the Health and Safety part of the listing . The policy specifically posit the security measures cameras should have been give away in the House Rules which it was not . I sent screenshots of the same policy the rep send me where it clearly read it should be note in the House Rules and I was told that it was bring out in the itemization period . There was no sympathy or regard for our experience even after explaining why this affected us so much . Airbnb was not uncoerced to work with us whatsoever and dismissed my obvious claims of an wrong listing of security cameras within the apartment we booked . I requested a repayment and was ignored . The policy specifically states the cameras should be let out in the House Rules . We would not have booked this stay had we known about the cameras . This caused my oldest daughter and I a mountain of worked up [ redacted ] .
Have you had an experience with Airbnb or any other technical school political platform that you ’d care to apportion ? unload me a line at[email protected ] .
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