Privacy regulators welcome changes to Airbnb policy on surveillance camera use

March 13, 2024

Privacy Commissioner of Canada Philippe Dufresne, British Columbia Information and Privacy Commissioner Michael McEvoy, Alberta Information and Privacy Commissioner Diane McLeod, and interim President of the Commission d’accès à l’information du Québec Rady Khuong released the following joint statement in response to Airbnb’s decision to update its policy on security cameras:

We welcome Airbnb’s decision to revise its global policy on the use of security cameras inside rental accommodations. Effective April 30, the new policy prohibits indoor security cameras in all Airbnb listing types, includes more comprehensive rules on the use of outdoor security cameras, and requires hosts to disclose decibel monitors.

We welcome Airbnb’s openness to engage with our offices on this important issue and to implement the recommendations that we made to the company last year.

Where people live or stay, including rental accommodations, are places where we expect a high level of privacy.  This is why the use of cameras and security devices within these spaces is extremely invasive to privacy. The new measures will help to better protect the fundamental right of individuals to privacy.

Contact information for media:

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Communications@priv.gc.ca

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia
mmitchell@oipc.bc.ca

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta
communications@oipc.ab.ca

Commission d’accès à l’information du Québec
media@cai.gouv.qc.ca