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People Keep Finding Hidden Cameras in Their Airbnbs (buzzfeed.com)

"Airbnb has a scary problem on their hands: People keep finding hidden cameras in their rental homes," reports the New York Post. "Another host was busted last month trying to film guests without their knowledge -- marking the second time since October that the company has had to publicly deal with this sort of incident." BuzzFeed reports: In October, an Indiana couple visiting Florida discovered a hidden camera disguised as a smoke detector in their Airbnb's master bedroom. Earlier that same year Airbnb was forced to investigate and suspend a Montreal listing after one of the renters discovered a camera in the bedroom of the property... Hidden cameras aren't just an issue for Airbnb -- it's been a hot-button topic in hospitality for years. There are hundreds of stories about hotels using unlawful surveillance. [For example, this one.]

Airbnb recommends its customers read the reviews of the host of any rental property they might be interested in, and also offers an on-platform messaging tool that allows communication between host and guests... "Cameras are never allowed in bathrooms or bedrooms; any other cameras must be properly disclosed to guests ahead of time," Airbnb spokesperson Jeff Henry told BuzzFeed News.

This time the couple discovered hidden cameras that were disguised as a motion detectors. Airbnb says they've permanently banned the offending host -- and offered his guests a refund -- adding that this type of incident was "incredibly rare."

2 of 167 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Isn't Voyeurism a CRIME? by Anonymous+Brave+Guy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Exactly. Banning the host and refunding some money isn't even close to good enough here. In almost any civilised country, this should be a police matter, and someone should probably be going to jail and getting added to the sex offenders register or local equivalent.

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    If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
  2. Re:Surveillance of us here at Slashdot...... by Megol · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Is /. using your webcam to spy on you? No? Then what have your rant to do with this? Nothing? Exactly.