When staying in a hotel room, one reasonably expects privacy from cameras. But with Airbnb rooms, walking around naked is a risk taken in front of possibly hidden cameras.
One German woman has found this out and is now suing her Airbnb hosts for the invasion of her privacy after discovering hidden cameras in her California rental property’s living room. Yvonne Schumacher $75,000 law suit comes when hidden cameras between some candles in the living room were discovered to have filmed her walking naked from the bedroom to the guest bathroom.
Is it just me or is this kind of AirBnB photo super creepy? #hiddencamera pic.twitter.com/vtLfG30x
— Marc Köhlbrugge (@marckohlbrugge) February 1, 2013
“Mrs. Schumacher used the bathroom for the guest room, meaning that she walked naked through the apartment from the master bedroom to the guest bathroom,” the lawsuit states. “In doing so, she walked within full view of the property’s living room.”
Although the lawsuit is going after the hosts, Airbnb are also in the firing line for not actively engaging in “meaningful background checks of the lessors.”
Airbnb has told Tech.Mic during one interview that they will defend the pending litigation vigorously. “Airbnb takes privacy issues extremely seriously. All hosts must certify that they comply with all applicable laws in their locations and are of course expected to respect the privacy of their guests. Airbnb asks hosts to fully disclose whether there are security cameras or other surveillance equipment at or around the listing and to get consent where required.”
Airbnb have since introduced a privacy policy rather than make a mere mention of a “responsible hosting” guideline for lessors. However, unlike those of major holiday chains such as Holiday Inn, private rentals for customers are in a gray space where reasonable expectations on privacy aren’t clear cut. For now, it’s best to challenge the hosts about these matters next time, before you rent out private accommodation for your next getaway.
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