Home rental company, Airbnb has banned the installation and use of indoor security cameras in the properties listed on its platform. This is according to a statement by the company’s Head of Community Policy and Partnerships, Juniper Downs.
In the statement, the company said the ban aims to simplify its rules on security cameras as well as prioritise the privacy of guests when on the platform.
“These changes were made in consultation with our guests, hosts and privacy experts, and we’ll continue to seek feedback to help ensure our policies work for our global community,” Juniper Downs said.
The ban on indoor security cameras and other changes to the company’s policy will come into effect at the end of April according to the statement. These policy changes will also be implemented worldwide.
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Concerns over indoor cameras on Airbnb
Users of the online rental platform, Airbnb have previously expressed their concerns about the use of indoor surveillance cameras on the properties they have rented. While some apartment renters ensure the cameras on their properties are quite conspicuous, others prefer to conceal the cameras therefore giving the feeling of privacy.
Users have constantly complained about always being paranoid whenever using properties listed on the company’s platform and expressed their hesitation to visit such properties even when invited.
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Airbnb’s Head of Community Policy, however, claimed that a majority of listings on the platform do not report having a security camera and therefore the policy change would affect just a small set of users.
“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,” she added.
It is important to note that the company’s current rules only allow the use of security cameras in common areas such as living rooms and hallways. It also mandates renters to ensure that the location of the surveillance cameras is made clear on the property’s listing.
But the new policy is taking away all of that. Aside from indoor cameras, the new policy also bans the use of outdoor cameras that point inside the properties. Airbnb does not allow surveillance cameras to be placed in private areas like bedrooms and bathrooms.
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Furthermore, the new rules will still allow the use of doorbell cameras and noise monitors in common areas. These devices also have to be disclosed on the property’s listing page.
Airbnb said it seeks to balance the need for hosts to be able to monitor the security of their property and be aware of issues such as unauthorised parties while prioritising the privacy of guests.
See also: The growing importance of privacy amongst customers and how businesses should cater to it