Are home security cameras allowed inside an Airbnb?

Earlier this month, someone renting an Airbnb in Philadelphia posted a Twitter thread claiming their short-term rental had been surreptitiously recorded by hidden cameras.

In a series of since-deleted videos and images posted on June 12, the wire warned of hidden cameras in the home, including showers and bedrooms, and claimed some cameras were disguised as sprinkler systems. .

The now-deleted thread quickly went viral and sparked an investigation by the Philadelphia Police Department.

An online conversation ensued about the privacy rights of guests inside an Airbnb and how far an Airbnb host is allowed to install recording devices inside homes. “It must be illegal. One should not be allowed to film someone without their consent, unless it’s a public building/business etc,” said answer. Another person wrote that “camera lenses will reflect your phone’s flashlight and you can see that it is a lens and not just a screen or a dark spot.

Aaron Swor, a spokesperson for Airbnb, told SFGATE that Philadelphia police found no hidden or undisclosed cameras and that the sprinklers were indeed ordinary sprinkler heads.

“Philadelphia’s story has since been debunked,” he added.

The official Airbnb Politics for the use of cameras and recording devices is that the company allows hosts to install them inside homes to “provide hosts and guests with peace of mind.”

The policy states that security cameras and noise monitoring devices are permitted inside an Airbnb, as long as they are installed in a visible location, clearly marked in the listing description, and do not interfere with to the privacy of others. Surveillance cameras are also allowed at entrance doors or driveways.

The company clarifies that common areas do not include sleeping areas, bathrooms, or common areas used as sleeping areas, such as a living room with a sofa bed.

Airbnb adds that hosts should ensure that the use of security cameras and other recording devices complies with applicable local laws and regulations.

The Philadelphia incident was eventually discredited, but it provided a reminder that video and audio recording inside a home is allowed by Airbnb. If you use the service, read the listing description carefully to find out if your vacation is recorded.

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