We Found a Hidden Camera in the Bathroom of Our Airbnb
nytimes.com “Based on the information provided,” she wrote, “we were not able to conclude that there was a violation of our policy.”
I suspect that “Liviana” is an AI bot and know for a fact that airbnb couldn’t care less about this. A proper justice system would bankrupt them over this.
Although to be fair, why does anyone think letting a random stranger rent you a room is a good idea. I bet people also think the sheets and towels get washed between stays.
If I may be so bold, inconsistent and/or nonexistent enforcement of service policies and terms should be illegal, along with defining terms and policies the service provider knows or should reasonably suspect they cannot appropriately enforce.
I'm thoroughly sick of the template claims and replies with posturings about how much they care, only for these companies to magically never find any issues in slamdunk situations. It's practically industry status quo at this point, like a shadow justice system of the worst kind.
2024: Airbnb's Hidden Camera Problem (28 points, 9 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40915564
2024: Airbnb is banning indoor security cameras (341 points, 505 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39669167
2019: Airbnb Has a Hidden-Camera Problem (77 points, 56 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24324300
2019: Airbnb and security camera disclosure (680 points, 393 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18919832
guess there's a market selling hidden cameras to air bnb hosts
There's a market in selling fear to people around products & services that aren't favored by a certain faction of NYT's readers.
Whereas you are completely unbiased in your opinions on this subject.
Of course, everyone comes from their own particular point of view and/or bias.
I'm a host. The POV I see this from is that of someone who pays close attention to the market and the changing perception of short term rentals. I've read far enough beyond the headlines to know that these accusations are very often not what they seem, and that this narrative is being blown way out of proportion considering how infrequently it actually happens.
The POV a sub-segment of NYT readers see this from is one of being righteous about short-term rentals (in theory at least.)
The POV of writers and editors at NYT is to respond to their readers' preferences.
I've had a full refund because of a non-hidden camera at AirBnB, including a call if I felt unsafe etc.
The home was equipped with some security cam that overviewed the hallway to the bathroom and the entire living room.
I covered the cameras with a basket so there was still audio possible.. I figured if the Airbnb owner would complain I had proof that they watched.
After a month back at home I got a message that I got a full refund (didn't ask for it, just wanted to make them change the listing).
I lived across the street from a popular Airbnb - it completely destroyed the neighborhood
But hearing that Airbnb allowed a home to stay on the platform after this report is shocking
My childhood street has seen now five homes get sold to people/companies whom my parents have never met. Four are now full time Airbnbs. One became a “content house,” where TikTok stars come to film videos for a few days. It really sucks.
It’s even scarier when you realize that if the host doesn’t frequently rotate the wifi password, or use a hotel login, any guest could plant a hidden camera or other device with a persistent connection.
As an Airbnb host I can just as quickly tell you stories of exploitative guests who are chronic abusers of the system, attempting to get refunds by threatening narratives like this that they know have the potential to get sympathy and traction with Airbnb or on social media. In almost all of these cases it ends up being one persons' word vs. another. An accusation is far from proof, but hosts most often stand to lose.
How many cameras do your lodgings have?
If only there was an existing regulatory framework that has established protections and rights for customers and providers in this space.
If they wanted revenge on the spying host, they could have staged a pretend murder in the bathroom, in the camera's field of view. I'd be tempted.
This could be a modern day Agatha Christie plotline, or a convoluted alibi from a Law & Order episode. I've attended murder mystery dinner parties, and this is an amazing idea for how to involve those who cannot attend in person. Thanks for the food for thought.
I think Airbnb is very host-specific.
I was in an AirBnB two nights ago in Wisconsin. It was the second floor of a house with the hosts on the second floor. The shower was in an old claw-foot bathtub. Unfortunately, after I got in, the shower rod fell out of the roof and hit me in the head. Then the rest of the shower mechanism collapsed, spewing water onto the floor.
My first reaction was to figure out how to justify what happened. The host came out to see what happened. She was apologetic and wanted to sincerely make amends. First she offered $50 back. Then as I was leaving, she gave me her entire fee. I've been on the road for awhile and she was the most conscientious service persn I've interacted.
Tonight, I'm in a lesser known brand extended stay suites chain. It took 10 minutes for the clerk to make it to the lobby for my check-in. She gave her reason but it was focused on excusing herself rather than making my experience better. Then for the first time ever, I couldn't get the wifi password right, given what she had written. I want back to ask her and she didn't know and had to experiment. Meh.
In general, corporate AirBnb probably sucks. If the host also sucks, good luck. And a high ceiling but also low floor vs. mediocre hotel chains.
Still, I'm staying at the same chain tomorrow night. Airbnb was too expensive...
Earlier today:
It's insane to me as to why people still choose to use AirBnB in 2025. This is not the first such report and this certainly won't be the last. AirBnB is not a government authority - they can AT BEST get the landlord off of the platform AFTER the fact. And most of the times, they don't do that as well as it affects their bottom line. AirBnB is simply a middleman, no better than a real estate agent in a third world that gets all of the benefits of being a broker without the accountability.
I would rather sit infront of a reception talking to a real person than frantically be in the middle of the road trying to call non-existent support hotlines or email them hoping I get a reply AFTER I've blown my accommodation budget on the provider.
Fuck AirBnb. Book. A. Hotel.
I use AirBnB to book whole houses for trips, which are better for families who want to cook. I use it interchangeably with VRBO, which I’ve been using for many years, before AirBnB was founded in fact.
Short-term house rentals are not a new idea. Before VRBO and AirBnB—before websites in general—we would call up the local chamber of commerce where we were going and they would give us the phone numbers for local real estate firms that managed short term rentals. Then we would call them directly and book.
Those types of companies are still around, and often when I book through AirBnB or VRBO, that’s who the “host” is.
Multi-room hotel suites are scarce and extremely expensive. If you’re traveling with a group, Airbnb is the best-stocked option.
Many people use Airbnb because it's cheaper and/or more conveniently located. Unfortunately it's not impossible to have shitty experiences with a hotel either, whether it's hidden cameras or overbooking your room.
However, Airbnb is becoming more expensive in a lot of places so it may work itself out.
I guess it depends on where you’re going but AirBnB surpassed hotel rates for my travels (mostly to major cities) back around 2017 or 2018. I haven’t used it since.
It really depends on the location and how many people you are travelling with.
No.
I don’t even look anymore and just assume I’m being watched
Why do people go through AirBnB in such situations? I mean that seems like a situation where law enforcement should be involved instead of a company.
This was reported to law enforcement as well, who is nominally investigating and has also done nothing of substance.
AirBnB can be hit by media pressure - unlike the police, but this is 100% a legal matter
Janky AirBnb hosts are one reason I prefer hotels
AirBnB is far more likely to help
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Host has submitted video of you planting a camera.
It's so surprising that a platform that grew on its ability to dodge and outrun regulation is full of shady suppliers. Who would have thought?