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Airbnb and security camera disclosure

jeffreybigham.com

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Re: Airbnb and security camera disclosure

#61

Post by jartelt »

eric_b wrote: post #9

I used to use AirBnB all the time. Lately I've switched back to using hotels almost exclusively. The camera/privacy thing is a big part of it. I empathize with the hosts to a degree - you don't want people doing outrageous things in your home. But the hosts want their cake and to eat it too. Don't rent out your home if you don't want the risk of people damaging it! (As a minor aside, I've also noticed the quality of…

I made the switch as well and now only get an AirBnB when traveling with a large group of friends to remote destinations.

For my own travel, I got so sick of the problems with key access. It's just too hard to coordinate with most hosts when you are in a foreign country and don't have cell service or wi-fi.

It's also super annoying when any number of other issues show up: spotty wi-fi, no cable TV, no soap or shampoo, poor quality mattress, etc.

And then hosts often expect you to wash your dishes and put laundry in the washer. Why do I need to do this when I am paying >$100 for a "cleaning fee"???

Re: Airbnb and security camera disclosure

#62

Post by rocqua »

bradleyjg wrote: post #41

Given that the entire Airbnb model involves the host, guest, and the company splitting the profit that comes from pushing externalities onto everyone else it’s hard to have sympathy for any of them. No honor among thieves and all that.

The profit doesn't come solely from pushing away externalities. It also profits by tapping into more transient supply of accommodation by home-owners. That is, people who happen to own a home but aren't living there at the moment, or who are willing to share the space.

This doesn't apply to people who buy houses with the intent to airbnb them, they are purely about avoiding hotel regulations.

Re: Airbnb and security camera disclosure

#63

Post by alkonaut »

matz1 wrote: post #50
RankingMember wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think expecting privacy will always be the reasonable approach. Giving bad actors an out because "oh well the technology's so advanced now let's just accept it" is giving creeps a pass.

I didn't say giving bad actor an out. Just because you have information doesn't mean you are allowed to use the information to harm me. Its still illegal to do so.

I'd be hesitant to have surveillance equipment or anything that could be mistaken for surveillance equipment because a review that there is a camera in any of a landlord's properties would mean I'm not renting from them, ever.

I really don't care whether they use whatever is recorded in a bad way or not.

Re: Airbnb and security camera disclosure

#66

Post by alkonaut »

camtarn wrote: post #4

"What was I trying to hide on New Year’s Eve..." Something like this, presumably: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/jan/07/airbnb-new-ye... It's not an excuse for the owner being an ass, or the inappropriate camera placement and lack of proper disclosure, though.

What is appropriate camera placement in an AirBnB property? I wouldn't accept it anywhere in a hotel suite, so nowhere in an AirBnB property either.

Step 1 to adapt my own apartment to be possible to AirBnB would be to remove any cameras.

Re: Airbnb and security camera disclosure

#69

Post by alkonaut »

pluma wrote: post #7
mscasts wrote: post #2

That is kind of creepy indeed. In my country you are allowed to video tape inside your own home and I assume that right extends even if you rent it out temporarily. I guess far from every host does this, I would even say it's probably very rare. But maybe there is a reason to stay in a hotel after all ;)

If you're in the EU it does not. You can record anything you want in the privacy of your home but if you record other people, they need to consent to it. The reasoning described in the article "but there's a camera in the picture of the room so you agreed to it" certainly wouldn't hold up under any interpretation of the GDPR. Also even if it's your home, if you rent it out, that's a commercial activity even if it's y…

Also, if you have a clearly visible camera, I as a guest would cover it up the second I see it, and uncover it when I move out. I realize not everyone wants to adapt their home by tearing down theeir own cameras but they can power them down and have a post it note next to it saying "this is part of my alarm system but it's disconnected when AirBnB guests stay here, feel free to put this note note over the lens if you like /host".

If you have a hidden camera and someone found it, the reviews wouldn't be good for business.

Re: Airbnb and security camera disclosure

#70

Post by pc86 »

larrywright wrote: post #45
gambiting wrote: post #17

Should have replied "Yes, I disconnected it so you wouldn't record our naked 2 year old.". Any discussion after that point surely becomes pointless.

This was my first thought as well. If you’re an Airbnb host and capture video of a minor without clothes on, you could be in a world of legal trouble.

This is a pretty big oversimplification of the law. If you're not hiding the presence of cameras, they're not capturing private areas or those entrances directly, and you're not doing anything with that footage after the fact, it's unlikely to ever be an issue.

There was an /r/legaladvice thread a few weeks ago where someone's security camera recorded a cleaning lady's 16 year old daughter changing, which certainly has the potential to be more lascivious than a 2 year old post-bath time, and the consensus was pretty unanimously that the homeowner had nothing to worry about provided they weren't archiving or keeping that footage.

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