Airbnb Faces Scrutiny Over Hidden Camera Incidents

Airbnb is under fire again after a woman discovered she was secretly recorded undressing at a rental property. This incident, like many others before it, has raised serious concerns about the company’s ability to protect its guests from surveillance devices.

An Airbnb representative, during a court-ordered deposition last year, revealed that the company had dealt with tens of thousands of customer support tickets related to hidden cameras over the past decade. Despite these alarming numbers, Airbnb does not routinely notify law enforcement when guests report hidden cameras, even in cases involving children. Instead, the company often contacts hosts directly, potentially compromising criminal investigations.

A CNN investigation uncovered that Airbnb consistently fails to safeguard its guests’ privacy despite knowing about the hidden camera issue. The company has also worked to avoid regulatory oversight of the short-term rental market, thereby distancing itself from liability for guest safety.

Law enforcement has recovered thousands of images from hidden cameras at short-term rental properties, depicting guests in intimate and vulnerable moments. Many victims live in fear that their private moments could be exposed online.

Airbnb declined CNN’s request for an interview but stated in a written response that hidden camera complaints are rare and that the company takes swift action, including removing hosts and listings that violate policies. However, some of Airbnb’s safety measures, such as background checks, come with significant disclaimers and are not foolproof.

Airbnb, founded by Brian Chesky and his roommate in 2007, has grown into a $47 billion company. Unlike traditional hotels, Airbnb does not control the properties it lists or employ on-site staff, leaving safety and maintenance responsibilities to hosts. This lack of oversight has contributed to incidents of violent crime, prostitution, and deaths at Airbnb properties.

Hidden cameras remain a significant concern, with Airbnb aware of the issue for at least a decade. The company has struggled to effectively address the problem, often resolving complaints quietly through settlements and confidentiality agreements.

A recent case involved David Wyzynajtys and his girlfriend, who found a hidden camera in their Airbnb rental in Texas. They contacted law enforcement, leading to the host’s arrest and discovery of over 2,000 images, including children. Despite this, the host’s listing remained active on Airbnb for months.

Airbnb has fought regulatory efforts in various regions, arguing that compliance would harm its business. The company has also used legal protections meant for tech platforms to avoid liability for incidents at its properties.

Airbnb’s commitment to guest safety remains under scrutiny, with critics arguing that the company’s actions have been insufficient to protect against hidden cameras and other security risks.