Our Commitment to Privacy and Safety
Privacy, safety, and trust are fundamental to our marketplace. Travelers have a reasonable expectation of privacy when staying in a rented property, and hosts and guests alike are expected to respect that expectation at all times.
This policy establishes clear rules regarding the use, placement, and disclosure of surveillance and recording devices to ensure transparency, prevent misuse, and maintain a safe experience for everyone on the platform.
Definitions
Rented Property
A “rented property” includes all areas provided to a traveler for their exclusive use during a stay, even if only a single room is rented. During the rental period, these areas are considered private to the traveler.
Common or shared areas (such as shared hallways or building entrances) are not considered part of the rented property unless explicitly included in the listing.
Surveillance or Recording Devices
Surveillance or recording devices include any device capable of capturing, recording, or transmitting audio, visual, or motion data, whether continuously or intermittently.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
Still-photo cameras
Video cameras
Motion-activated or motion-enabled cameras
Smart doorbells (e.g., Ring or similar devices)
Garage or entry monitoring devices
Audio recording or listening devices intended to capture conversations
This list is illustrative and not exhaustive.
General Rule
Surveillance and recording devices are never permitted inside a rented property, regardless of disclosure, consent, or purpose.
This rule applies equally to:
Landlords
Guests
Co-landlords / hosts
Property managers
Third parties acting on behalf of a landlord or guest
Prohibited Devices and Placement
The following are strictly prohibited:
Any surveillance or recording device located inside the rented property
Devices placed in a manner that monitors or captures activity inside the rented property
Hidden or undisclosed surveillance devices
Devices installed temporarily during an active reservation
Guests may not install surveillance or recording devices inside the rented property, even with landlord's awareness or consent.
Permitted Devices (Exterior Only)
Surveillance or recording devices may be permitted only if all the following conditions are met:
The device is located outside the rented property
The device does not monitor or capture any interior space
The device is used for legitimate purposes such as security or access monitoring
The device is clearly and accurately disclosed prior to booking
Examples of potentially permitted exterior devices include:
Exterior-facing security cameras
Smart doorbells at exterior entrances
Cameras monitoring driveways or parking areas
Smart Home and Voice-Activated Devices
Common voice-activated smart devices (such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home) are not considered surveillance devices under this policy.
However:
Hosts are encouraged to disclose the presence of such devices
Guests should be provided with clear instructions on how to mute, disable, or unplug them during their stay
Disclosure Requirements
All permitted exterior surveillance or recording devices must be clearly disclosed in the property listing or property details page.
Disclosures must include:
The type of device
The general location of the device
The areas monitored by the device
Failure to properly disclose a permitted device is a violation of this policy.
Reports and Investigations
We take all reports of potential policy violations seriously. Reports may be submitted through customer support, reviews, or other channels.
During an investigation, we may:
Request additional information
Temporarily suspend a listing or user account
Restrict access to the platform while the review is ongoing
Enforcement and Consequences
Violations of this policy may result in actions including, but not limited to:
Removal or suspension of listings
Account warnings or permanent removal from the platform
Repeated or severe violations may result in permanent removal from the marketplace.
Compliance With Law
Landlords and guests are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations related to privacy, surveillance, and recording. Where local law imposes stricter requirements than this policy, those requirements apply.
Nothing in this policy limits our ability to comply with applicable laws or lawful government requests.
Purpose of This Policy
This policy exists to protect privacy, promote transparency, and ensure that our marketplace remains a trusted and safe environment for everyone.