We Found a Hidden Camera in the Bathroom of Our Airbnb

I lived across the street from a popular Airbnb - it completely destroyed the neighborhood

But hearing that Airbnb allowed a home to stay on the platform after this report is shocking

2024: Airbnb's Hidden Camera Problem (28 points, 9 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40915564

2024: Airbnb is banning indoor security cameras (341 points, 505 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39669167

2019: Airbnb Has a Hidden-Camera Problem (77 points, 56 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24324300

2019: Airbnb and security camera disclosure (680 points, 393 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18919832

It's insane to me as to why people still choose to use AirBnB in 2025. This is not the first such report and this certainly won't be the last. AirBnB is not a government authority - they can AT BEST get the landlord off of the platform AFTER the fact. And most of the times, they don't do that as well as it affects their bottom line. AirBnB is simply a middleman, no better than a real estate agent in a third world that gets all of the benefits of being a broker without the accountability.

I would rather sit infront of a reception talking to a real person than frantically be in the middle of the road trying to call non-existent support hotlines or email them hoping I get a reply AFTER I've blown my accommodation budget on the provider.

Fuck AirBnb. Book. A. Hotel.

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  “Based on the information provided,” she wrote, “we were not able to conclude that there was a violation of our policy.” 

This seems to be a favourite of these companies. While orders of magnitude less bad, I’ve reported several deepfake crypto scams on LinkedIn where there is an ad for a politician deepfaked into announcing some investment scam, on a website made up to look like a popular news outlet. There’s no question it’s a scam, but minutes after reporting you get back a “we didn’t find any violation of our policy” reply.

I suspect that “Liviana” is an AI bot and know for a fact that airbnb couldn’t care less about this. A proper justice system would bankrupt them over this.

Although to be fair, why does anyone think letting a random stranger rent you a room is a good idea. I bet people also think the sheets and towels get washed between stays.

Why do people go through AirBnB in such situations? I mean that seems like a situation where law enforcement should be involved instead of a company.

As an Airbnb host I can just as quickly tell you stories of exploitative guests who are chronic abusers of the system, attempting to get refunds by threatening narratives like this that they know have the potential to get sympathy and traction with Airbnb or on social media. In almost all of these cases it ends up being one persons' word vs. another. An accusation is far from proof, but hosts most often stand to lose.

If they wanted revenge on the spying host, they could have staged a pretend murder in the bathroom, in the camera's field of view. I'd be tempted.

Earlier today:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45543146

It's so surprising that a platform that grew on its ability to dodge and outrun regulation is full of shady suppliers. Who would have thought?

I don’t even look anymore and just assume I’m being watched

It’s even scarier when you realize that if the host doesn’t frequently rotate the wifi password, or use a hotel login, any guest could plant a hidden camera or other device with a persistent connection.

I've had a full refund because of a non-hidden camera at AirBnB, including a call if I felt unsafe etc.

The home was equipped with some security cam that overviewed the hallway to the bathroom and the entire living room.

I covered the cameras with a basket so there was still audio possible.. I figured if the Airbnb owner would complain I had proof that they watched.

After a month back at home I got a message that I got a full refund (didn't ask for it, just wanted to make them change the listing).

I think Airbnb is very host-specific.

I was in an AirBnB two nights ago in Wisconsin. It was the second floor of a house with the hosts on the second floor. The shower was in an old claw-foot bathtub. Unfortunately, after I got in, the shower rod fell out of the roof and hit me in the head. Then the rest of the shower mechanism collapsed, spewing water onto the floor.

My first reaction was to figure out how to justify what happened. The host came out to see what happened. She was apologetic and wanted to sincerely make amends. First she offered $50 back. Then as I was leaving, she gave me her entire fee. I've been on the road for awhile and she was the most conscientious service persn I've interacted.

Tonight, I'm in a lesser known brand extended stay suites chain. It took 10 minutes for the clerk to make it to the lobby for my check-in. She gave her reason but it was focused on excusing herself rather than making my experience better. Then for the first time ever, I couldn't get the wifi password right, given what she had written. I want back to ask her and she didn't know and had to experiment. Meh.

In general, corporate AirBnb probably sucks. If the host also sucks, good luck. And a high ceiling but also low floor vs. mediocre hotel chains.

Still, I'm staying at the same chain tomorrow night. Airbnb was too expensive...

Non-paywall:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/travel/airbnb-refund-came...