Short-stay rental company Airbnb has announced a global ban on the use of indoor security cameras in listed properties.
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Cameras have been allowed in common areas such as hallways and living rooms, but not in bathrooms or sleeping areas, as long as they were disclosed on the listing and clearly visible.
Security cameras will be banned from use inside under any circumstances as part of Airbnb's efforts to "prioritise the privacy of [its] community" from April 30.
The platform is also tightening rules on outdoor security cameras or doorbell cameras, and devices such as noise-decibel monitors.
While allowed, hosts will be required to identify the location of any outdoor cameras before guests book.
They also can't be used to monitor indoor spaces or areas with a "greater expectation of privacy" such as an enclosed outdoor shower.
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Decibel monitors will also have to be disclosed, are only allowed in common spaces, and cannot record or transmit sounds or conversations.
"These changes were made in consultation with our guests, hosts and privacy experts, and we'll continue to seek feedback to help ensure our policies work for our global community," Airbnb's head of community policy and partnerships Juniper Downs said.
Only a "smaller subset of listings" on the platform is expected to be affected with the majority not reporting the presence of a security camera, according to Airbnb.
The platform said it would investigate any reported violations brought to its attention and could take action to remove listings or accounts.
