Airbnb Faces 30,000 Hidden Camera Incidents Over 10 Years... Company Struggles to Prevent Public Disclosure

"Pressuring for Settlement in Damage Reports, Confidentiality Agreements Too"
Issues in Filtering Hosts Through Criminal Records and Other Processes

The accommodation sharing platform Airbnb has been reported by foreign media to have been more focused on preventing public discussion rather than taking measures against guest damages caused by 'hidden cameras.'

According to the US CNN broadcast on the 9th (local time), Airbnb pressured victims to settle disputes over hidden camera reports out of concern that the issue would become public, and required them to sign confidentiality agreements preventing further mention of the details. Airbnb stated that this was "standard industry practice," but CNN pointed out that Airbnb's attitude was problematic even after the incidents were reported.

For example, in July 2021, a couple who stayed at a remote accommodation in Texas Hill County, south-central Texas, using Airbnb, discovered a hidden camera installed facing the bed and reported it to Airbnb.

However, Airbnb responded by asking, "May we contact the host to hear their side of the story?" CNN criticized this action, saying, "This behavior gives the suspect time to destroy evidence and can obstruct the investigation."

Ultimately, the victims reported the incident to the police the next morning, and the responding officers found a large number of images at the host's home showing guests changing clothes or engaging in sexual activities. The perpetrator was a 'Superhost,' a status reserved for hosts with high ratings, and it is known that there were more than 30 confirmed victims.

CNN also pointed out problems with Airbnb's process of screening hosts based on criminal records. Airbnb's website includes a 'caution notice' advising not to rely solely on their background checks to determine whether a host has a criminal history. The media criticized Airbnb for drawing a legal line on incidents between hosts and guests while collecting an average 17% commission on accommodation fees and growing into a giant company larger than the combined global hotel chains Hyatt and Marriott.

Furthermore, CNN noted that hidden camera filming is usually treated as a minor offense with sentences not exceeding one year in the US, but victims suffer for much longer periods.

Over the past 10 years since December 1, 2013, Airbnb has recorded a total of 34,000 customer service cases related to 'surveillance equipment.' This figure was disclosed following a court order during lawsuits filed against Airbnb, requiring the company to reveal the number of complaints and reports related to hidden cameras received over the decade. Airbnb claimed that this number includes cases such as broken door cameras or tablet PCs with recording functions left inside rooms, and that the actual number of hidden camera incidents would be much lower.

However, CNN reported that their own investigation found the number of related victims to be at least 75.