Madison Meeks – Editor-in-Chief

Mvm7037@psu.edu

The popular rental vacation home company Airbnb has made the decision to ban the use of indoor security cameras. According to ABC News, the decision was made due to the company wanting to prioritize privacy. The company made a statement on March 11 stating that the ban will be global across all of their listings. They wanted to instate the ban as an effort to simplify the policy of security cameras. 

Before the ban, Airbnb allowed the use of indoor cameras in areas like hallways and living rooms if they were disclosed on the listing page before the booking. Cameras were not to be located in bedrooms or bathrooms. But this new policy has prohibited the use of the cameras. 

The company had made a statement to ABC News about the change in policy. They stated that “the update to this policy simplifies our approach and makes clear that security cameras are not allowed inside listings, regardless of their location, purpose, or prior disclosure. As the majority of listings on Airbnb do not report having a security camera, this update is expected to impact a smaller subset of listings on the platform.” 

Along with the ban on indoor security cameras, Airbnb decided to change their policy on the use of outdoor cameras as well. According to ABC News, “the police also implement more rigorous and comprehensive rules on the use of outdoor security cameras and other devices, including noise decibel monitors.” Airbnb also stated, “Devices like doorbell cameras and noise decibel monitors continue to be permitted on Airbnb and can be an effective, privacy-protective way for hosts to monitor security for their home and get ahead of issues like unauthorized parties. However, hosts will be required to disclose the presence and general location of any outdoor cameras before guests book. These cameras will also be prohibited from monitoring indoor spaces of a listing and are not allowed in certain outdoor areas where there’s a greater expectation of privacy, like an enclosed outdoor shower or sauna.”

The company also stated that hosts have to disclose the presence of a noise-decibel monitor. The new policies will take effect on April 30. After April 30, any violations against the policy will be investigated, and lists and accounts will be removed from the site.