More hidden cameras have reportedly been found in Airbnb rentals

By AJ Dellinger Published April 1, 2019

Pxhere

Airbnb continues to have a hidden camera problem. After a story in The Atlantic highlighted the issue that has affected renters who choose to stay in Airbnb properties, another report of a hidden camera popped up in Garden Grove, California. According to the local ABC affiliate, a couple staying at an Airbnb residence discovered a hidden camera in their room.

Christian Aranda and Alondra Salas told ABC7 they were looking for a quiet place to stay and spend some quality time together. The couple settled on an Airbnb that was listed by the owner as “cozy and romantic.” While the couple expected they would be able to spend some private time together, that idea was quickly ruined when they discovered a camera hiding in the room’s smoke detector. It was placed directly above the bed.

Recommended Videos

The couple opted to stay the night in the room despite discovering the camera and later reported it to law enforcement. The Garden Grove police confirmed that there was a camera installed in the smoke detector, though it apparently wasn’t recording. While the police say no crime was committed in the incident, it’s surely unsettling for any visitor to have a camera pointed directly at them while they sleep. The homeowner hasn’t commented on the situation

Please enable Javascript to view this content

In a statement to ABC7, Airbnb said: “The safety and privacy of our community – both online and offline — is our priority. Airbnb’s policies prohibit hidden cameras in listings, and we take reports of any violations very seriously. We promptly removed this host from our platform and completely refunded Ms. Salas based on the information reported. There have been more than 500 million guest arrivals in Airbnb listings to date and negative incidents are incredibly rare.”

Incidents involving cameras in Airbnb listings seem to be growing increasingly common. There have been a number of publicized cases of hidden cameras in rentals, including a Toronto couple who found a camera hidden in an alarm clock pointed at the bed and Airbnb has faced legal action over the issue. If you’re staying at an Airbnb, you may want to search for any undisclosed cameras in the property that may be watching you.

Topics

Contributor

AJ Dellinger is a freelance reporter from Madison, Wisconsin with an affinity for all things tech. He has been published by…

Smart Home

Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam vs. Wyze Cam Pan v3: Which is the better pan-tilt camera?

The Pan-Tilt mounted on a wall.

An indoor camera capable of panning and tilting is one of the best ways to improve the security of your home. These devices make it easy to capture all corners of a room with a single device, making them a cost-effective way to keep tabs on a property. The Wyze Cam Pan v3 is one of the cheapest options on the market, but Ring has recently launched its own Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam that's quickly become popular with shoppers.

But is the expensive Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam better than the Wyze Cam Pan v3? Or should you save yourself a few bucks and opt for the cheaper security camera? Here's a look at both to help you decide.
Pricing and monthly fees

Smart Home

Arlo Pro 5S vs. Ring Stick Up Cam Pro: Which is the best premium security camera?

The Arlo Pro 5S installed outside on a wall.

Security cameras are available at all budget levels, and it's not hard to find something under $50 that'll do a decent job of protecting your home. But if you're serious about home security, you'll likely want to increase your budget. Doing so will get you a product with better resolution, a wealth of useful features, and weatherproof designs that will work either indoors or out in the elements. And when it comes to premium security cameras, few products are as popular as the Arlo Pro 5S 2K and Ring Stick Up Cam Pro.

Interested in adding one of these high-end cameras to your home? Here's a comprehensive look at the Arlo Pro 5S 2K and Ring Stick Up Cam Pro to help you decide which is best for your needs.
Pricing and monthly fees

Smart Home

Blink Mini 2 vs. Wyze Cam v4: Which is the better budget security camera?

The Wyze Cam v4 installed outside.

The Blink Mini 2 and Wyze Cam v4 are two of the most affordable security cameras available in 2024. Both offer a compact footprint and impressive filming resolutions, and both can be used indoors and outdoors. However, there are some major differences between these two budget-minded products -- and while frugal shoppers will find a lot to love about both, one of them is a better product for most homes.

Here's a look at the Blink Mini 2 and Wyze Cam v4 to help you decide which to purchase.
Pricing and monthly fees
The Blink Mini 2 costs $40 and is available in black or white. If you want to use the device outdoors, you'll need to pick up the Weather Resistant Adapter, which bumps the price to $50. You'll also want to spring for the Blink Basic Plan, which costs $3 per month, to access features like cloud history.