Are Cameras Allowed Inside Airbnbs? What Travelers and Hosts Should Know
Vacation rental platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com have specific policies regarding the use of security cameras to balance guest privacy and host security. Airbnb bans all indoor cameras as of 2024 and requires disclosure of exterior camera locations, while allowing decibel monitors with limited disclosure. Hidden cameras are prohibited across platforms, though travelers are advised to remain vigilant and understand their rights if they discover unauthorized devices.
- ▪Airbnb bans all indoor security cameras regardless of placement and has done so since April 2024.
- ▪Exterior cameras are allowed on Airbnb as long as they are not in areas where guests have a reasonable expectation of privacy and their locations are disclosed in the listing.
- ▪Decibel monitors that assess sound levels without recording audio are permitted indoors on Airbnb, but only the general area of placement must be disclosed, not the exact location.
- ▪Smart home devices such as thermostats and smart plugs are allowed inside Airbnbs and do not need to be disclosed, though hosts may choose to do so.
- ▪Booking.com has expanded its vacation rental offerings and requires hosts to comply with local laws and platform rules regarding surveillance devices, including clear disclosure of any recording equipment.
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News & AdviceAre Cameras Allowed Inside Airbnbs? What Travelers and Hosts Should KnowWe break down the security camera policies of different short-term rental platforms, including Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com.By Kat ChenMay 1, 2026GettySave StorySave this storySave StorySave this storyWhether it’s that balmy beach villa you’ve been saving your PTO to book, or a cozy spot upstate to get away for the weekend, the whole charm of a vacation rental is the old cliché that it’s a home away from home. But nothing ruins that cozy feeling like the fear of somebody watching you.With the ubiquity of smart home technology, vacation rental guests and hosts may be wondering what the rules are regarding security cameras installed in and outside the home.
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