Airbnb: when your room watches you
Spy cameras have been discovered in hundreds of Airbnb accommodations worldwide. Victims sleep. The cameras, however, never turn off.
A worrying global scale
In the United States, Europe, Asia — no country is spared. Victims have filed complaints after finding hidden cameras in their bedroom, bathroom, or living room. In some cases, the footage was live-streamed on clandestine platforms. The trust placed in Airbnb hosts can be exploited by malicious individuals.
Since 2015, Airbnb has received over 35,000 reports of privacy violations in its accommodations. Only a tiny fraction of these cases lead to legal prosecution.
The most common items used
Modern spy cameras measure less than 3 mm in diameter. They can be found for less than €15 on online marketplaces and integrated into everyday objects. The most frequently documented hiding places:
— Digital alarm clock on the nightstand — pointed directly at the bed, an innocuous object never suspected.
— Smoke detector on the ceiling — ideal viewing angle, never touched by tenants.
— Wall USB charger — constantly plugged in, visually undetectable.
— Tissue box or photo frame — positioned facing the living area or the bed.
— Shower head — documented cases in South Korea and Europe.
Real Stories
"I had booked an Airbnb in Dublin for our honeymoon. My husband found the camera by accident — it was in the smoke detector. The video was already circulating."
— Anonymous victim, reported by The Guardian, 2019
In 2019, an Irish couple on their honeymoon discovered a hidden camera in their Airbnb accommodation in Dublin. The camera, concealed in a smoke detector, transmitted images in real-time. The case was reported by the BBC and The Guardian, sparking international awareness.
In France, in 2022, a woman on a business trip to Paris noticed an infrared blink in her Airbnb rental room. A camera was hidden in a connected alarm clock. The recording had been ongoing since the first night of her stay.
Who are the targets?
The profiles are universal. Couples on romantic weekends, families on vacation, solo business travelers — no one is spared. Mid-range Airbnb accommodations are the most affected, as they combine a high flow of tenants with almost non-existent surveillance.
The recordings are then used for three purposes:
1. Sale on clandestine forums — monthly subscription, content classified by city and type of accommodation.
2. Targeted blackmail — when the victim is identified and considered solvent.
3. Live streaming — real-time streaming for paying subscribers on encrypted networks.
Your rights and how to protect yourself
In France, filming a person without their consent in a private place is a criminal offense punishable by Article 226-1 of the Penal Code — up to 1 year in prison and a €45,000 fine. If you discover a hidden camera, do not touch it and contact the authorities immediately.
Sources & references
— The Guardian, "Hidden cameras found in Airbnb properties", 2019
— BBC News, "Secret cameras streaming guests in rentals", 2019
— Europol, Cybercrime Division Report on Voyeurism Networks, 2021
— Le Monde, "Hidden cameras: an invisible threat for travelers", 2022
— Airbnb Transparency Report, 2023
Protect yourself before entering the room
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