For these renters, hidden cameras at their Airbnbs have spiraled into nightmares. CNN’s Kyung Lah investigates how the company keeps its hidden camera problem quiet. #cnn #news
@RidingwithStymie what are your options when traveling internationally? EDIT: It seems like some people in this thread have a hard time with Reading Comprehension, suffer from ADHD, or are just looking to offload their Complex Trauma on strangers from behind their virtual shield of anonymity. So let me clarify a few things: 1. I know hotels and hostels exist. I have tried them all. They don't provide enough services/amenities for travelers like me. Hence, AirBnB became so popular... millions of other people feel the same way. This is NOT in dispute. 2. Security cameras on a property are not illegal but MUST be disclosed. Cameras in PRIVATE areas are 100% illegal. _This is NOT in dispute!_ AirBnB has this rule explained clearly. 3. Any host caught breaking the law MUST be reported DIRECTLY to the police and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. 4. Since we all (presumably) agree on #2 and #3, the question becomes, HOW is AirBnB supposed to PREVENT the crime in the FIRST PLACE? What are the options? AKA: We all understand the problem, so let's talk about SOLUTIONS. _PREEMPTIVE_ solutions. 🛠
@@isabellrc Not all those types of lodging work for everyone. And hotels are like taxis... low quality, poor service, high prices. I don't always like AirBnB either, but it's a far better alternative to many hotels. Competition is good. AirBnB just needs to fix/improve their platform.
This is so frightening. I once booked an Airbnb in Florida for my partner, I, and my preteen daughter. I took screenshots of the listing and it said a full house all to ourself. After I booked, the host changed the listing to only giving out one or two bedrooms of the house he lives in. He then started sending me messages asking about the age and gender of my child, also said my partner and I could have a bedroom on one side of the house and there was a smaller bedroom for children close to his own on the other side.... I told him the original listing was different and I didn't feel comfortable, he said he would not accept a cancellation because it was in the terms. I told him I had screenshots of the listing and our conversation, and I would call Airbnb to report this. He immediately agreed to the cancellation but I still reported him. Airbnb did not respond whatsoever. This man was clearly a danger to children, they couldn't care less. I wasn't able to leave a review of any kind because of the cancellation.
That is scary asf. But I had a guy do the same. He listed it as a entire apt only for it to be 1 room with a grown ass man in the apt. And airbnb would not let me cancel nor refund my money I never felt so unsafe in my life. And I didn't sleep that night and got the hell outta thete. Never used them again.
People have been murdered at air bnb. Airbnb has literally taken all of our rentals because they're making so much off of them that the locals have no rentals.
Most airbnbs are used strictly for that purpose! A lot of owners don’t live in these spaces. They are investors. I have several and don’t stay at them, they are for strictly business purposes.
We once bought a toilet brush, swept all the floors pristine, with a broom we borrowed and guess what they gave us a 2 star review because apparently we left a mess(?!) That platform is weird. Before that both hosts were really friendly and forthcoming, and it was pretty much the only option for where we were staying since hotels in that country are pretty unsafe and unhygienic. So I guess in those situations we will keep using AirBNB, bur I'll make sure to check for cameras next time.
Yes i have been using airbnb a lot as i have moved states and purchasing a home. Many of them gave cameras outside but now i worry they are inside but just not disclosed
Creepy af as well who the f want to see other people. It’s called sick, psychotic, creeps that get off! Sociopaths!!! Stop using air bnb they’re creepers! Protect our children at all cost!
For sure, but Airbnb doesn't care about the clients. Renting they only care about the money coming into their pockets, so jail time to them. It's already safeguarded because of privacy disclosure agreement, everyone clicks on and that's unfortunate that there's no repercussions towards the company, not even the people doing it will get probably a slap on the wrist, no one. Should be. Renting from airbnb
10 years is what they _should_ get, but it would really be 30 months maximum & they’d still likely only serve 2 years of it (at least in the state the first couple’s case took place in, thanks Google lol)
Most states only require ONE of the people involved to consent to the recording, and that one person is obviously usually the person doing the recording. THATS why ppl are getting away with it. Bc it’s not illegal to put up cameras in your own private home… 🤦♂️
U can’t throw someone in jail for having a recorder in their own private home, dum-dum. If it was illegal to do so then every prank RU-vid and every single business owner with a camera in their store would be in jail for recording ppl without their consent….
Here’s an idea instead of contacting Airbnb when you find a hidden camera try calling 911. And when the police arrive give them permission to search the house.
@@moonbabemarie I’ll never stay in a A.bnb! I have never trusted my safety and they are not as regulated as hotels are. Though there have been occasional issues in some of those places, but that’s mostly been from their sick a- guests or private hotel owners. Shame the hotels are more trust worthy!
So Airbnb will remove the host if somebody finds a camera in their rental but they don't notify other hosts or notify the police that not just adults but children may have been recorded and god knows where the footage ends up. And they go to extreme lengths and cost to cover it up rather than report the crime. The mind boggles at the depravity of their greed.
Ironically the damage to their reputation is actually worse from it being revealed that they try to cover it up rather than if Airbnb had directly implemented policies to protect the people that use it and report crimes to police. People would feel safer using Airbnb if they had shown transparency and responsibility but now people will think of it as sketchy and as the company protecting criminals. They need to do what Uber did when it was developing a reputation for sexual assaults and robberies that happened through the app and implement more safety measures.
The same happens with cases of sxual assault. They cover it up. There's been some really damning articles written about how much airbnb is hiding by making silence a prerequisite of settlements. Unfortunately, most people don't really do research into this sort of thing. As a single woman I'll never stay in an airbnb.
@@anastasia-fr1gnbut most hotel are concnered about their image as a large cash flow is involve. Here even a run diwn apartment is turned into a rental by just submitting few docs
Smoke detectors, that is so perverted. Disgusting, there are so many creeps in this world now aways. Sick. Thanks for this revealing video, I hope all these perverts get EXPOSED!!!
This happens in everyday family homes too. I remember there was big story where a wife found a camera in her kids bathroom and it turned out her husband had hidden cameras all over was filming their kids and uploading on the internet.
I've never been attracted to that service at all, so I'm not worried on that front. But when you tell us not to take our kids to one under any circumstance, what are you alluding to? (other than what was shown in this report).
AirBNB can be really good, I drive every few months from WA to Nevada or CA and I have to go through eastern Oregon on US 395 or 97 and there are very few hotels or motels and many are nasty and they still charge like $150 even for some nasty place. Instead I have become a repeat guest of a few AIrBNB places like a family farm in Eastern OR is a great stop just at the 9 hour drive mark on the border with CA. They converted a barn in to like 3 or 4 rooms and such nice people they make you breakfast and charge $80 so even cheaper than a motel. But like everything in life it's just making good choices and being very careful where you choose to stay same for Motels too, so many are nasty, bug infested crime holes too, maybe people go there for prostitutes or to take drugs it's all about making good choices to avoid problems like that same for AirBNB or motels
@@pambp5978 Yes I did. And indeed, it was already more than enough to convince any decent person. What I was trying to get to here was whether or not there are some even more disturbing things going with RB&B beyond that, which is why I specified 'other than what was shown in this report'.
They get 10 complaint tickets a day on average about hidden cameras, so just imagine how many more are going unreported. It's gotta be at least 100x that much, which would be 1000 families/3000-5000 people being recorded every day. How many of those are kids? Then, for Airbnb to turn around and say it's "exceedingly rare" is just 😮
Congrats thats what the elites owning multiple hotel brands in all continents and owning the CNN too want you to do because Airbnb ruined their businesses and they are now trying to ruin Airbnb’s reputation so people go back to paying 100$/night in their hotels
People are also getting sick of all the hidden fees associated with Airbnb. I’m talking to more and more people every day who won’t even use them anymore
Very scary. The fact that they do not immediately involve the authorities and contact every previous guest of the host is appalling. The binding arbitration clause should be null, void and unenforceable.
You can thank Republicans for passing laws in many states that allow these binding arbitration clauses preventing people from suing corporations in open civil courts. They called it "tort reform."
My family and I were racially discriminated by a host in George South Africa. We were turned away at the gate and she pretended that there is no room available but she did take the booking and the money. We never got any refund and air bnb did not even care or assist in having the host account. This platform is the worst and untrustworthy.
Cheap race-baiting lie. Your profile makes it clear you're black and of Bantu tribe. That's 2x 'master race' privileges in ANC South Africa for you. If you lie, always make your lies hard to detect. Now if you'd been white or asian, two groups badly discriminated against in SA, your lie might've been believed.
Ha ha. Just look at their turnover and that will tell you why that will never happen. Too many palms can be greased with a huge turnover. As long as "lobbying" remains legal, big companies can do just whatever they like.
Why should airbnb be responsible for someone else doing???? THEY didnt do it.. The owner of the property is responsible.. Its impossible for airbnb to go check every property.. IF airbnb finds out they are doing something illegal, that property should be removed immediately and a case filed against them for breaking a contract.
Airbnb was once a wonderful concept. It is now no longer local individuals renting out their home but huge businesses and there is no hospitality or generosity
The concept was always just that -- a fairy tale. The entire thing was a way to make money by avoiding regulations and accountability. Unfettered capitalism -- ain't it grand?
Aids in rising home prices. Housing is now a commodity rather than something people live in. I know there are some who don't take advantage of everything, but that is where it was headed from the beginning. Monetizing everything and making housing unaffordable while criminalizing homelessness. It's the American way.
@@jacquelinedara8606 they could use it for their advantage, by letting the customers know that they care about their privacy at the same time calling the police would stop the creeps from doing such a thing in the first place.
I have never rented an AirBnB because you have always remembered it's a private house where other individuals own this property and go to a hotel. bottom line.
I absolutely would, too. I'd also try to get the host to incriminate themselves in a way that's recorded/documented. Then I'd sue the host on top of pursuing criminal measures, and then sue Airbnb as well
That's exactly what you're supposed to do. Airbnb isn't police. They are a company and cannot be directly connected to the hosts because those rooms aren't owned by them.
@@loonator1995what if the claim made by the guest is wrong? does airbnb just go around banning any host that got a complaint? so we are considering the hosts are guilty until proven innocent? what if you were a host, did not record anyone but your guest claims you did??
Airbnb should be suing the heck out of these creepy hosts, not sweeping it under the rug. Make examples of them so that other hosts don't even think about doing this stuff. And this video could of ended by teaching guests how some of these hidden cameras can be detected/found.
For anyone curious to know if Airbnb support system is that bad, I encourage you to simply try and file a ticket on especially your safety concerns during your stay. In five days, you’ll be chatting with five representatives, each replacing one another every morning - You’ll be explaining your stressful situation five times in a row, and you will eventually give up. Their exact strategy :-)
Fuck AirBnB, but as someone who works in customer service, talking to multiple representatives is just an unfortunate reality for any customer service team. We all take breaks, lunches, days off, maybe our kid needed to be picked up from school. We don't necessarily have the ability to be your only contact with a company. This is no even taking into consideration of course that 70% of the time someone tries to contact us back, we are already on the phone or helping a different customer. So the contact will just be routed to someone else. Should companies invest way more into their customer service so we aren't spread so thin? Absolutely. But to a certain extent what you described, there's only so much even the best CS department can do.
Leaving a system in place that punishes clients while benefitting the company is negligence at best but often seems like fraud. Sounds a lot like claims services at health insurers... It's such a lucky break for stock holders.
I travel extensively and I ALWAYS have the feeling of total lack of privacy in every single place. I hear weird clics wherever I stay: apartments, hotel rooms, house bedrooms, bathrooms. I think the microcameras are being installed more and more everywhere.
😫😫 Surely there is a gadget that would help people find hidden cameras & microphones! I know the technology exists because government agencies use them to sweep houses! Just spend a little time checking the decorative items and things like clocks. Turn them face down or to face away from you. It might take an hour or so, but it is worth it for peace of mind!! ❤❤✊🏼 Don't forget to check behind mirrors. I've read a lot and seen videos about cameras behind mirrors. 🤷🏼♀️ You can do it and you can make yourself feel safe by doing your own sweep!!! ❤❤
Buy a camera finder - turn all electronic equipment around to face the wall- remove all existing chargers. We found a camera in our AirBnB in the hallway. We put masking tape over the lens. We even check our hotel rooms.
unfortunately, everyone who has used the site has signed a legally binding agreement that specifically prevents them from filing a lawsuit. To further hold people over a barrel, the remedy from arbitration is usually financial which is withheld until the complaintant signs and additional agreement further restricting their ability to tell their tale.
I used AirBnB once, and it was a horrible experience. The room (in a hostel, not advertised as such) was filthy, appeared not like advertised at all. There were no bedclothes, the trashcan was overflowing, and the window opened onto a roof where everyone was partying. I left next morning and checked into a hotel. When I returned home, I posted a review with photos of the room. They were up only a day or so, then removed by, I assume, AirBNB. Never again. And I never recommend them to anyone.
Thank you for this decision! Also, when you use AirBnB you contribute to a massive housing crisis caused by this leeching company, making lots of people unable to find rent or even purchase a home. AirBnB should not exist.
naive of you to think that hidden cameras aren't also in your workplace as well....... we live on an orwellian dystopia yet you people call us "conspiracionist, insecure, toxic incels....."
@@maodmifcnr It's illegal anywhere in the world, son. This has to do with human nature, not laws. Ever seen humans doing things that are against the law? How about "all of the time". That's why airbnb gets a report and doesn't contact law enforcement. Doesn't mean you all in Europe are not being filmed. You just don't know. lol
First thing to do, disable the wifi that is provided by the airbnb host as all these devices are setup by using thier own wifi. So unplug the wifi router and use your own mobile pocket wifi.
Unplug all electronic devices that aren't yours in the bedroom. Use the built in wall lights and not any lamps. There's also an app you can use to help find hidden cameras.
Air BnB.. They have destroyed people's lives.. I live on a Greek island and locals can't find a place to rent. Everyone is renting to Air BnB.. Laws need to be changed
Actually, the local politicians have destroyed everyone's lives. Their job is to look out for the citizens not to make a profit. But just like all local governments around the world they decided that making a profit from the taxes is far more important than their citizens.
Same in the Rural parts of South England, Londoners buy property and rent it out on Airbnb whilst locals who's family have lived there for hundreds of years get priced out
I usually travel solo. I've tried AirBnB a couple of times but each time regretted it. I still prefer a nice hotel with frontdesk staff that I can call/run into.
Yeah, I went back to hotels couple years ago bcuz apparently all of these 'home sharing platforms' share similar issues ... plus, I just got sick and tired of cleaning a stranger's house. It's more relaxing just going to a hotel and being pampered.
And paying thousands of dollars on crappy hotel food bc you don’t have a kitchen, and listening to people above you and below you, and midnight fire alarms, and waiting hours to get into your room…. People need to stop acting like there’s not a reason air bnbs became a popular thing.
@godislovepraisehim8483 I've had kitchens in many hotels I've stayed in with a stove and oven, full size fridge, and dishwasher. I've never stayed in an AirBnB, but not because of these reasons.
I don’t like Airbnb …only used once and I prefer hotels …Airbnb takes scarce real estate away from people who want place to live. Some countries ban Airbnb …that is a good move.
@@mariomario1462your not a “human” if someone did it to your mother or sister your be crying your def like a 16 year old loser whos mad at the world go cry
@@mariomario1462 I think he is, people sell these livestreams online on porn websites. It's literraly a way for the host to make money off people's privacy, especially women's.
@@mariomario1462If you don't feel they are a victim, then live stream your love life. Your wife's, daughter's, son's, mother, father, etc. If you can not see the crime here, you are beyond help.
So many creepos out there. It's like we are not safe anywhere anymore. I'm a guy and I recently ended a friendship with a male friend because I discovered he has a camera in the guest's bathroom at his house, I told another friend and he checked his phone and found files of videos of a bunch of people besides us.
I haven’t used Airbnb for years because I personally prefer a hotel. I don’t want to deal with complicated security systems, cameras, keys, or cleaning up someone else’s house when my stay is over hoping and praying that the owner will give me a good guest rating. Airbnb owners can also discriminate against guests at will which is unfair and incredibly frustrating. I prefer to stay in a hotel room or suite where I can check out when my stay is over and move on with my life stress-free.
100% agreed. AirBnB sucks. I have a bad guest reading because the owner didn't like that I put in the review that the place had a dirty bathroom, stained sheets and a severe ant problem. He got extremely mad, got my review of his apartment removed and wrote a 3 paragraph long negative review about me that AirBnB refused to remove. .. that was the last ime I ever stayed in an AirBnB and never again.
What's even worse, is the airbnb host staying under the same roof. The host being on the same property is one thing, but under the same roof is weird as hell (to me)
The last time I stayed in an airbnb the owner contacted me afterwards saying I should've told him if I was gonna bring another person. fucking creepy and I then thought he might have had some hidden cameras there.
I’ve never rented an AirBnB (and thanks to stories like these, I never will), but I once rented a place from someone I was very close to. They had cameras all over the house and, when asked, deliberately lied about it (I initially had suspicions, but couldn’t prove anything, so I flat out asked). The fact that people think they’re entitled to FORCE themselves into someone else’s privacy is beyond sickening. I eventually caught on to what the ex-friend was (really) up to and to this day, we haven’t spoken in years. I hope people like this get every rotten thing they deserve.
So the anti-airBnB hotel lobby funded hit pieces have succeeded with you. Does it not concern you that there are just as many, if not more, cameras hidden in motels and hotel rooms? They don't actually have to be installed by the manager - previous guests can install them and simply connect them to the cell phone system or to the hotel wifi - how often do they change the wifi password? All data is encrypted - you'd need to hire some pretty sophisticated investigators to discover rogue cameras broadcasting.
"Exceptionally Rare". Lets do some math. If even 50% of the 35,000 hidden camera complaints were real, it would be 17,500 real complaints over the span of 10 years. That means 1,750 users per year actually DISCOVER hidden cameras in AirBnB's. Who knows how many go undiscovered.
😂😂😂😂 you young people live and die by tech and porn…. Yet you are so naive to the uses of the tech u adore… I would never use Airbnb , never even considered it
@@ihelmo i have an air bnb and someone may call my cleaning fees “insane” i guess but cleaning is expensive, im charging exactly what i pay my cleaner. It’s hard to find someone reliable.
@@godislovepraisehim8483 we charge less than what we pay the cleaner and only have cameras outside the property. If it is on CNN the truth factor can be really low
This is my problem with renting for short stays from random individuals you never meet. My family swears so is wrong with me for avoiding them but you are at the mercy of whatever integrity or lack thereof they have, from cleanliness to privacy! I’m so grateful for this video.
This happens even in the best hotels, not by the owners. People install hidden cameras all over the place and then sell subscriptions to them. There are devices you can buy to try to detect them that can work pretty well.
@@ginodc5944at least if it’s in a hotel there’s security around and you can call the police. Airbnb you have no hope of support or help and you have to sign an NDA.. you also run the risk of the creepy airbnb hosts joining you in your bedroom… to reinstall their cameras.
It’s not weird at all. People are crazy and sick. I dont stay at hotels or Airbnbs. I only travel to places where my family lives and I’ll stay with them
We have primarily used VRBO, as ABnB has more of a creepy feel partially due to situations where hosts rent a room in their own house. I've checked though and found some property owners list on both websites, not that it means they're doing anything wrong, but I prefer VRBO between the two of I had to choose and wasn't staying in a hotel.
Many Airbnbs are only used as rentals. I've stayed in a few that were personal homes and it IS just awful. They have personal items everywhere. One had a chock-full frig and asked us to put our groceries in the garage frig (which had a lot of stuff in it too). This was more than 10 years ago. You get smarter about reading the listings. I used to LOVE Airbnb, but haven't used them in many years. They used to be so transparent and open to help, now everything is hidden and secret and shady and they let the hosts make unreasonable demands.
@@chrissyboo7903 -- It does, and I've said the same thing in another comment, but the comment is about how AirBnB has crippled hotels, without delivering on much of what was promised.
Good. Stop using AirBnB. I live in a place where rent is so inflated that regular people can't afford to live here. A huge part of that is that putting a property up on AirBnB is more profitable than conventional renting. People who work in the community can't afford to live in the community. Then the people who rent through AirBnB are utterly disrespectful and thrash the place because there is a $200 cleaning fee regardless of how they act. Now we've got this hidden camera garbage. It's disgusting from every angle. Let AirBnB go the way of the dodo.
Not everybody that Rennts an Airbnb is trashing places It seems that you have a vendetta against people there an Airbnb because of renters. Not only that it seems like you don’t you forget that we had a pandemic three years ago and there’s people couldn’t get their money from the rental properties. They only raise the prices to make up for the cost has nothing to do with Airbnb.
Right when covid started I read a story of a guy who rented ELEVEN houses, supposedly for his own use. The leases ALL said "no subletting, no Airbnb allowed." Well, he signed leases for them all so he could post them on Airbnb, and then covid happened and he was on the hook for over $38,000 a month in rent for all the houses combined. Suddenly he couldn't find any customers, and he wanted sympathy! He wanted the courts to let him out of all his leases, and they said "of course not" so he tried a GoFundMe to raise money. I don't think he raised a dime The whole Airbnb thing is awful, for countless reasons.
Sigh... 'How can I make this about me'-mentality... This is about consumers being protected from peeping toms and other sexual predators. It's not people like you wanting to live downtown on the cheap and lacking the balls to earn a home.
Airbnb, along with their offending hosts, should be charged with human trafficking, exploitation, wiretapping, invasion of privacy, and any number of crimes. They ACTIVELY promote and facilitate these crimes when they contract with hosts who spy on guests in interior spaces.
