How to Spot Hidden Cameras in Airbnb

Is your Airbnb host spying on you?

Airbnb's popularity has exploded in recent years, but the platform is not without its problems—reports of hidden cameras being just one of them.

In February 2023, Texan, A. Jay Allee was jailed for one year after pleading guilty to six felony counts of invasive visual recording. Allee, who had “Super Host” status on Airbnb had used a hidden camera to record guests in his rental cabin. Investigators uncovered 2,126 thumbnail images from Allee's seized devices and confirmed six victims' identities from the photographs.

Just a couple of months before, in France, vacationer Larissa Angaman noticed a digital clock facing the shower of her Airbnb. On inspection, it turned out to be a disguised camera, and a further search revealed another hidden camera in the bedroom pointing at the bed.

Angaman took the SD cards out to look at them on her computer and found a folder named “December 2022”. It contained footage of her and her friends using the bathroom. The incident was reported to the police, and Airbnb refunded her in full and suspended the host's account.

Unfortunately, these are not isolated incidents.

What is Airbnb's policy on surveillance?

Airbnb does have a strict policy regarding hidden cameras and recording equipment. Hosts are allowed surveillance equipment, such as security cameras and noise monitoring devices. BUT, their presence, intended use, and location must be declared in the listing.

They are only to be used in common and public areas and not in bathrooms or areas used for sleeping. So, for example, if the living room has a sofa bed in it, then there should be no recording equipment in that space.

Any surveillance devices that are installed, must also be obvious— concealed or undisclosed monitoring devices are strictly not allowed.

You can check out the full details on Airbnb's Community policy, but it states:

“To help provide Hosts and guests with peace of mind, security measures like security cameras and noise monitoring devices are allowed, as long as they are clearly disclosed in the listing description and don't infringe on another person's privacy. Rules about devices apply to all cameras, recording devices, smart devices, and monitoring devices.”

Even though there are very clear rules, unfortunately, there are still those who will break them. Which is why we've taken the time to write this guide on how to spot hidden cameras in Airbnb!

Are hidden cameras illegal?

The legality surrounding security cameras can differ from state to state and country to country. But the general rule of thumb is that it is illegal to record anyone without their consent in any location where a person would expect privacy.

This clearly includes bathrooms and bedrooms but you could argue that, as an Airbnb guest, you might expect privacy in the entire home (if you've rented it as such).

Is a living room really a “public space” if you're the only person renting it?

This is where it all gets a little murky.

But, it's covered up by two blankets of “disclosure” and “consent”.

According to Airbnb, if the presence of recording equipment is disclosed in the Airbnb listing, then by going through with the booking, a guest is ultimately giving their consent.

In that case, the host's recording is totally legal.

BUT, should there be an additional, undeclared, or disguised camera, OR, they are located in private areas, then legality goes out the window.

That said, what constitutes “disclosure” could be interpreted differently.

In 2019, a Twitter user discovered cameras in the Airbnb rental he and his family were staying in, but when reporting it to Airbnb, he was told that a single grainy photo included in the listing was “proper disclosure” of multiple cameras.

It was only after his post went viral that Airbnb changed their tune and refunded his stay. Here's the said photo...

Most Airbnb hosts that choose to use surveillance equipment do so to help with the smooth running of their rental processes, protect their property, or ensure the safety of their guests. Hidden cameras, on the other hand, tend to suggest ulterior motives.

How to spot hidden cameras in Airbnb accommodation

Despite the fact that privacy is a fundamental human right, advancements in technology keep making it easier to violate. There is a plethora of spying devices readily available to purchase online. They're relatively inexpensive, some less than $20, arrive in a matter of days, are easy to install, and buyers aren't subject to any official regulations or scrutiny.

They can be so small that they can be disguised as pretty much anything. Luckily, there are methods to uncover these covert cameras and a variety of tools and apps to detect hidden cameras.

Here are our top tips on how to spot hidden cameras in Airbnb accommodation or any hotel, so you can take charge of your privacy and fully enjoy a peaceful, worry-free vacation.

Check the common hiding spots for hidden cameras

Knowing where to look is the first step. It can be hard to spot hidden cameras simply because they can be disguised as almost anything and can be so small that can fit anywhere. Spy camera designers are a creative bunch so you have to be just as clever in order to find them.

Here's a list of common camera camouflage tactics:

• Electrical sockets
• Desk plants
• Nails/Screw heads
• Clocks – wall clocks or digital alarm clocks
• UBS drives
• Pens or pen holders
• Power banks or chargers
• Lamps
• Bookshelves
• Smoke detectors
• Motion detectors (for home alarm system)
• Picture frames
• Air vents
• Various electronics
• Shower heads
• Keyholes

When you first arrive at your Airbnb property, make a sweep of all the rooms and check for any signs of hidden cameras or anything in an unusual spot. For example, most people don't keep digital alarm clocks in the bathroom! But they might not always be that obvious.

Inspect anything out of the ordinary

Dodgy-looking tech? A non-descriptive gadget that doesn't seem to do anything? Take a closer look. Make sure everything in the room is what it appears to be. Check if the plug sockets are actual working sockets or if the USB charger is a charger by plugging in your phone.

That said, be aware that some spy cameras will work just as their disguised item. For example, a spy camera hidden in a pen may write perfectly well. Or the spy camera disguised in a power bank will actually charge your devices.

But if you do find something that you're not sure about, do an online search of the brand name or model number. That should let you know if it's a simple gadget that you're dealing with or if it's a hidden camera.

Look for a reflection (from a camera lens)

This one might make you feel like you're in a surveillance movie! Turn off all the lights in the room and use a flashlight to scan the room for any small or hidden cameras. Even the smallest hidden camera disguised as an everyday household item will still have a glass lens, which will be reflective. As you scan the room, look for any reflections or glimmers that could indicate the presence of a camera lens.

If you're thinking “but I don't carry a flashlight with me on vacation!“ Your phone's flashlight should do the trick. It's not the most reliable method, but if you move slowly and thoroughly to avoid missing anything, it's worth a shot.

Check the mirrors

Hidden cameras behind two-way mirrors aren't as common, but it's not unheard of, so it's worth keeping in mind when you arrive at your Airbnb.

You might have already heard of the fingernail test as a way to check for a two-way mirror. This is when you put your fingertip on a normal mirror, there is a gap between your finger and the reflection. In a two-way mirror, your finger and its reflection will touch each other.

But this isn't the most reliable test. The room's lighting, the size of the mirror, or how it is angled can all affect your perception of whether the finger is touching its reflection. So you could easily mistake a normal mirror for a two-way mirror.

The third way to test for a two-way mirror is to knock on the mirror. A two-way mirror will produce a more hollow sound as there will be an empty space behind it (empty apart from a possible hidden camera). A normal mirror has a backing, so when knocked it should give off a more dull thud.

Checking for a two-way mirror is a bit more specialist though. So if you do suspect that your Airbnb has one, it's better to cover the mirror if you can and voice your concerns with Airbnb.

Use smartphone apps to detect hidden cameras

Yep, there really is an app for everything. There are smartphone apps to detect hidden cameras. Just go to your favorite app store and search for “hidden camera detector��. There will be plenty of offers, some for free and some for a small fee. Generally, they work by detecting magnetic activity or infrared lenses.

Using the app, you can hover your smartphone over a suspicious object like a digital clock, photo frame, or flower pot. If the app detects something, it will alert you.

Or, they should.

Although it seems like a quick and easy solution, the apps to detect hidden cameras have inconsistent results. This isn't necessarily the fault of the app. Technology is evolving so rapidly that many spy cameras can now avoid the apps to detect hidden cameras.

But using an app could be better than nothing. And if it's free or even for a minimal fee, if it helps protect your privacy, then it'll be worth it.

Specialized camera detectors

If you don't want to rely on apps to detect hidden cameras, then you might want to invest in something a little more sophisticated. Specialized camera detectors are portable devices made to detect infrared camera lenses and/or radio frequencies. They tend to be more reliable when it comes to spotting hidden cameras than smartphone apps. And they will make you feel like James Bond, which is just an added bonus really.

You can purchase one of these detectors online or from a local electronics store. Depending on the model you choose, they can set you back anywhere from $40 to $400.

What to do if you spot hidden cameras in Airbnb?

Whether you decide to purchase a specialized device or download one of the many apps to detect hidden cameras, the hope is to NOT find one.

But if DO find one, then here's what you to do about it.

Check the listing: Before you take any action, double-check the Airbnb listing. Did you miss anything in the description? Did the host declare cameras and you've just missed it? No? Then continue...

Take evidential photos: If you spot a hidden camera in your Airbnb take photos to document the evidence.

Contact Airbnb to report the host: Airbnb has a duty of care to investigate the situation and take appropriate action. This could involve removing the host from the platform and possibly reporting them to authorities.

Report to authorities: You may wish to make a police report. Contact the local authorities and let them know that you have evidence that your Airbnb host has been spying on you inside your holiday rental without your knowledge or consent. This is the key phrase here.

Protect your privacy while on vacation

The presence of hidden cameras in Airbnb continues to be a growing concern despite the company's strict policies. While most hosts using surveillance equipment do so correctly and are upfront and honest about it, there will always be those who don't play by the rules or have bad intentions. Being aware of how to spot hidden cameras in Airbnb will help you protect your privacy and safety while you're away from home.

For more tips on how to protect your privacy while on the move, read our Top 10 Tips How to Use Public WiFi Safely.