61–70 of 127 posts
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't think that I'll find any cameras, hidden or otherwise in a hotel room, which I rented anytime soon.
Depends what city you’re in
Can you give me just about one example besides some creep who spied on his guests?
I don't think that cameras in hotel rooms are in any way city dependent.
Ignoring this author for breaking the house rules and thinking he is in the right. The reality is Airbnb's are slowly being regulated away due to both the poor behavior of guests and bad hosts that have allowed guests to remain unchecked. All it takes is one bad stay for your reputation with your neighbors to be ruined. I am on good terms with mine, but realize that, if I hosted a stay that brought too many guests or…
I am missing something: which house rules did the author break?
The first thing to point out is these are not mutually exclusive, I think both parties have broken some moral boundaries.
More importantly though, if we accept that this guest´s bad behaviour justifies the use of a camera to detect it, does it also justify the owner (presumably) spying on every guest? Even those who don´t break any rule at all? Do we consider that okay - the ends justify the means, the owner has the right to monitor for house rule violations? If so, where´s the difference between this and being spied on by Facebook or other communication platform? You rent your "online presence" from them, pay them by having ads shown, a contract like any other. Why then shouldn´t they spy on you to monitor for breaking any arbitrary rules?
Ignoring this author for breaking the house rules and thinking he is in the right. The reality is Airbnb's are slowly being regulated away due to both the poor behavior of guests and bad hosts that have allowed guests to remain unchecked. All it takes is one bad stay for your reputation with your neighbors to be ruined. I am on good terms with mine, but realize that, if I hosted a stay that brought too many guests or…
Video cameras are continually getting better, cheaper, and smaller, and therefore will be installed everywhere.[a] In coming years, if you're in a building or house that is not yours , odds are there will be one or more cameras taking candid videos/photos of you as you go about your daily life. [a] Take a look at the size of the lens on the back of your mobile phone. That's how small high-quality cameras already are…
There's devices and ways to detect hidden cameras. There's a risk to being caught putting hidden cameras. I doubt they'll be everywhere but it is a problem.
There are certainly devices that can detect localised electric fields, wireless transmissions or make it relatively easy to spot shiny surfaces (such as camera lenses).
…but, and I say this with absolute confidence; there is no device that exists that can detect if you are being observed or not.
So, to some degree, it may be possible to find common wireless cameras, and if you’re some DIY house owner installing their SPY PRO secret camera from Amazon for $50, you can probably find it.
…but, the point the parent comment is making is that there are, and, increasingly will be, cameras you won’t be able to detect.
You’re best off to operate under the assumption you are being filmed when you hire a house, and, increasingly, just when you go around your daily life.
We need a Constitutionally guaranteed right to privacy in this country. I know that's way easier said than done but I think it's time we at least move towards such a thing through debate and consideration for what it means.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
What if the proprietor has a really bad allergy to animal dander?
They could state as much if it is a genuine safety concern. Or not risk renting their home to complete strangers.
I am utterly infuriated by the attitude that breaking rules is okay. It's all the more galling that our society rewards some rule breakers. When I'm feeling particularly petulant I can sort of understand how one would feel an attraction toward authoritarianism and totalitarianism.
From a realpolitik perspective renting your house to strangers is dumb simply because a significant quantity of strangers are rule-ignoring dicks.
Edit: I am aware service animals cannot be prohibited. Service animals are not pets.
You also need to check for cameras yourself, and there are articles on how to do that. You should also ask the landlord point-blank "Are there any cameras in here?" in case he just "remembers" some that he "forgot" to put in the disclosure. Human nature: many people are less willing to lie to you directly.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I am missing something: which house rules did the author break?
Dog on porch. Some people consider that a breach of the rules. Personally, I wouldn't think it was - the dog didn't enter the house and was only there temporarily. No different than a neighbor walking the dog up for a chat, or a cat/bear/deer/squirrel entering the property.
Do laws prevent 'regular' hotels from doing this?
Why would a hotel do that? Cameras in the lobby, the hallways and the elevators, sure. But in a hotel room? That's a great way to kill your business in no time.
https://www.alternativetravelers.com/airbnb-effect/
https://www.epi.org/publication/the-economic-costs-and-benef...