The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Effective April 30, Airbnb, the popular short-term rental platform, has announced a worldwide ban on surveillance cameras inside rental properties. This measure, according to Airbnb, aims to streamline its policy on security devices while prioritizing customer privacy.
Previously, the platform permitted owners to install cameras in common areas like living rooms, kitchens, and hallways, as long as they were disclosed in the listing. However, cameras were prohibited in private spaces such as bedrooms or bathrooms.
In a statement on its website, Airbnb clarified that regardless of location or prior disclosure, security cameras are now prohibited inside listings.
Moreover, Airbnb will introduce more comprehensive rules regarding outdoor security cameras and other devices, including noise decibel monitors. While devices like doorbell cameras and noise monitors remain permissible, hosts must disclose their presence and location before guests book. These cameras are prohibited from monitoring indoor spaces and certain outdoor areas with higher privacy expectations, such as enclosed outdoor showers or saunas.
The directive coincides with rising safety concerns, notably in Kenya, where incidents of brutal murders have occurred in short-term rental facilities. Local authorities have responded by reviewing regulatory rules, mandating all Airbnb investors in Nairobi to register their businesses and provide documentation to the Tourism Regulatory Authority for operating licenses.
In Nairobi, most Airbnb properties are situated in middle-class areas such as Kilimani, Parklands, and Westlands. The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife previously highlighted low registration rates among Airbnb operators, emphasizing the need for compliance within the sector. Out of 40,000 listed homes, only 400 had registered with the Tourism Fund by late last year.
