Airbnb is faced with another lawsuit after a customer reported that she was secretly filmed while undressing at a rented property.
The alleged sexual predator reportedly stored all the images on a computer and is suspected to have been spying on renters for years.
Airbnb Handles Hidden Camera Cases Confidentially
An Airbnb representative during a court testimony revealed that the company received tens of thousands of customer support tickets about surveillance devices on rental properties for the past decade. However, the company often processes the issue quickly and confidentially.
The representative also disclosed that it is a practice for the company to not notify law enforcement about such an incident unless a child was involved. Airbnb would then reach out to hosts about complaints to internally investigate.
A CNN investigation revealed that Airbnb is focused on preventing regulation on the short-term rental market and has distanced itself from the accountability of the renter's safety.
The company is also aware of the increasing incidents of hidden cameras on rental homes listed on its service but would rather deal with the cases quickly and privately than involve law enforcement.
Issues of Hidden Camera Persists in Rental Landscape
Airbnb is popularly known for allowing hosts to rent their places and invite guests to stay over for a certain period. Unlike hotels, the company is not liable for the majority of the incidents on listings.
The major concern on rentals that goes largely unchecked is hidden cameras. Previously, the company has allowed hosts to put surveillance cameras in common areas as long as it's disclosed to guests.
However, some hosts still managed to hide cameras in bedrooms and bathrooms that would expose guests during their private moments. Several victims of hidden cameras are living in fear that their private images and videos will be leaked online.
Airbnb defended the case in a statement, citing that hidden camera complaints are rare and that they take appropriate action such as removing violators as hosts on the platform.
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