• Airbnb has announced a revision of its policy on security cameras for rental listings globally.
• From late next month, Airbnb will ban the use of indoor cameras on any listing.
• Devices like doorbell cameras and noise decibel monitors continue to be permitted.

Airbnb has announced an important revision of its policy when it comes to privacy and security on the global rental platform. It has banned the installation and use of indoor cameras on any rental listings on the platform worldwide.

The company announced the change in a blog post, noting that the previous policy of noting all indoor cameras on a listing was not being properly adhered to.

“Historically, Airbnb allowed the use of indoor security cameras in common areas of listings, such as hallways and living rooms, as long as they were disclosed on the listing page before booking, clearly visible and were not located in spaces like sleeping areas and bathrooms. 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,” the blog post explained.

“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,” it added.

The platform has not banned the use of any kind of guest monitoring or security-focused devices, with doorbell cameras and noise decibel monitors still permitted on any listed property.

That said, there are still some provisos in terms of how outdoor cameras are used, as well as the fact that decibel monitors must too be disclosed, like indoor cameras used to be previously.

“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. Hosts are also required to disclose the presence of noise decibel monitors, which assess decibel level only and do not record or transmit sounds or conversations and are only allowed in common spaces of listings,” Airbnb continued.

Lastly, those owners/landlords found to be in violation of the new ban on indoor cameras will have their listing, and potentially their account, removed from the platform.

This new change takes effect from 30th April, the platform confirmed, so there is some time to ensure your listing is compliant.