Good evening, this is John Smith reporting for CNN. For years, Airbnb has been facing serious accusations regarding hosts who use hidden cameras to spy on guests in their most private moments. Despite acknowledging the issue in financial filings, the company has tried to keep the extent of the problem hidden from the public eye through arbitration, confidential settlements, and non-disclosure agreements with employees.
CNN has conducted a thorough investigation, reviewing over 2,000 pages of lawsuits and police records to shed light on the hidden camera problem within the short-term rental industry. We have spoken to nearly two dozen guests who have either discovered surveillance devices at vacation rentals or have been informed by law enforcement that they were secretly recorded.
Our investigation reveals that hidden cameras remain a persistent issue in the industry, with regulations being sparse and punishments for offenders being lenient. Victims of such recordings, often captured in vulnerable states, express long-term trauma and fear that their images may be shared online at any moment.
An Airbnb spokesperson informed CNN that complaints of hidden cameras are rare, but when they do occur, the company takes swift action, which may include removing hosts and listings that violate policy. During a recent court-ordered deposition, an Airbnb representative disclosed that the company had received 35,000 customer support tickets regarding surveillance devices since December 1, 2013. The company, however, declined to specify how many unique complaints there were among those tickets.
In response to the revelations, Airbnb has stated that it makes “every effort” to support police investigations into hidden cameras. However, the company does not notify law enforcement when a host is found violating the security camera policy, even in cases involving minors, to the dismay of many experts.
While European lawmakers have recently approved regulations governing the short-term rental industry, similar federal regulations are lacking in the United States. Airbnb has actively opposed local regulations aiming to increase government oversight or require data sharing with authorities.
Airbnb does not conduct background checks on all users, relying on user verification to ensure listing accuracy. The company’s website advises users not to solely rely on their background checks to identify potential risks. Additionally, certain criminal convictions are not automatic disqualifiers under Airbnb’s policy.
In light of these revelations, Airbnb’s trust and safety policies are facing increased scrutiny. If you have any information or stories related to safety or security concerns at Airbnb, please reach out to us at [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected]. This is John Smith reporting for CNN.
