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Think your vacation rental is safe? Think again. Finding a hidden camera in your Airbnb sounds like the start of a horror movie, but it's a horror movie that you could be starring in if you're not careful. While property owners may feel justified in wanting to monitor guests' comings and goings, there are some places that cameras just should not be.
Before you go on your next trip, take a moment to review the policies of the booking service. And make sure to do a thorough check of the property once you arrive. Here's what you need to know about short-term rentals and surveillance devices.
Vacation Rental Policies and the Law
As of April 30, 2024, Airbnb now bans surveillance devices in rental properties, though exterior security cameras, noise decibel monitors, and smart devices are still permitted, as long as they meet the company's guidelines and applicable laws. Vrbo’s policy bans surveillance devices inside of a property, but allows for exceptions on smart devices that can't be activated remotely (as long as guests are informed of their presence and can deactivate them). Booking.com's policy allows surveillance devices in common areas only, as long as guests are informed of their presence.
Federal laws regarding privacy don't apply to vacation rentals, but some states, cities, and municipalities do have laws that cover camera use where you would reasonably expect privacy.
That said, some rental hosts flout policies and the law. A couple who rented a Silver Spring, Maryland, Airbnb for a getaway had an "intimate moment," among many others, captured by the host on multiple cameras in the home. They were alerted that they were being surveilled and recorded by a white flashing light in a smoke detector and the suspect was taken into custody after footage from the cameras was found on his computer.
It's these sorts of stories that can drive Airbnb customers to be extra cautious, as was the case with Kennedy Calwell who took to TikTok to tell the story of finding a camera in a bathroom outlet at an Airbnb that she and 14 friends rented for a birthday celebration. Calwell and her friends reported the camera to Airbnb and local police in Canada. Canada’s CTV followed up on the story, confirming the investigation. A forensic investigation by police found that though the outlet did look suspicious, it did not contain a camera.
How to Find Surveillance Cameras
If you want to check your own Airbnb or other rental, there are some steps you can take. First, you should read listings thoroughly for camera disclosures before you book. You should also go through reviews and search for any mentions of cameras.
Slow and Steady Search
The easiest, most low-tech way to find a camera is to turn off all the lights, sweep a flashlight around the room, and look for reflections that might indicate a lens. Go slowly, since a glint from a lens can be pinpoint-small. Make sure to check items that could easily hide a camera, such as smoke detectors, alarm clocks, shower heads, outlets, and the like. Also look for glowing or blinking LEDs that might give away a recording device in operation.
Check the Mirrors
Then check mirrors. If they lift off the wall, you can peek behind them. If they’re bolted on, you can check whether they are two-way by once again turning off the lights and holding a flashlight up to the mirror and searching its surface. If you see only your flashlight’s reflection, the mirror is likely not two-way. If you see into an area behind the mirror, it's a two-way.
See If Your Phone Can Detect Infrared
If you’ve been using your phone’s flashlight for all this, don’t put your phone down. Test whether your phone’s camera can detect infrared by opening up the camera app, aiming a remote control at it, and pressing some buttons. If you see a flash of purple or white light, the camera can detect infrared. Turn off all the lights in the room, open the camera app, and scan the room for any similar bursts that could be coming from a camera.
Scan the Wi-Fi Network
As a guest, you likely have access to your rental's Wi-Fi, which allows you to perform a scan of the network. Download a Wi-Fi scanner app such as Fing (iOS, Android) to see which devices are connected. Follow the app instructions on the screen. Note that a host might have another Wi-Fi network, and not all cameras have to be connected to Wi-Fi to work. For a final sweep, you can purchase a cheap and compact RF detector that can find wireless devices.
Check Smart Home Device Settings
If the rental has a Google Nest Hub, Amazon Echo Show, or similar smart display, swipe to the camera's tab to see what’s being monitored. If someone were trying to conceal a camera, they would probably not connect it to such a device—but not everyone thinks these things through, so it’s worth a check.
What to Do If You Find a Camera
The first thing you should do if you find a camera where one shouldn't be is to document its presence: Take photos and a video. Then immediately report the camera(s) to the booking platform you used. If you feel unsafe and can find somewhere else to stay, do that. Whether or not you contact law enforcement is up to you, but you can also file a police report.