Spending the night away from home leaves us vulnerable — being in an unfamiliar place, often alone, can trigger worries for many of us (both founded and unfounded).
One of those common worries is the possibility of being spied on in your hotel room.
A recent study suggests that roughly 11% of travelers surveyed report finding a hidden camera in their Airbnb lodgings!
Luckily, security experts assure us that guests of trusted U.S. hotel chains have little to worry about.
For extra peace of mind, however, there are some easy ways to ensure your hotel room is free of hidden cameras.
Are There Hidden Cameras In My Hotel Room?
Hotel rooms are intended to be private places. The idea that someone could be watching you is unsettling.
As you might assume, there are laws surrounding the use of hidden recording devices in private areas. In the United States, it is not legal to record hotel guests in their private spaces without their consent. This includes not just video recording but audio recording as well.
Hotel Security Camera Policies
In most hotels (even very small ones), security cameras are a normal fixture in common areas. This includes the registration desk and hallways, as well as dining, parking and swimming areas.
These surveillance cameras are there for security and to help maintain the safety of the hotel’s staff and guests.
Moreover, these cameras aren’t hidden.
Take a look the next time you are checking into a hotel, and you should be able to find a security camera trained on the front desk.
Hotel security or law enforcement must review camera footage in the event of an emergency or crime. Entry and exit from the hotel should also be monitored to make sure that only hotel guests and staff are present.
Booking for Business Hotels for Large Groups? We offer some tips.
Vacation Rentals And Corporate Housing Camera Policies
In the case of private residences used as vacation rentals, like Airbnb, there are currently no such laws in place. However, recording guests without their knowledge is 100% against Airbnb’s policy.
Hosts who violate this policy face hefty fines and potential criminal investigation, as well as immediate removal from the platform.
Airbnb owners are allowed to place cameras in common areas, such as a kitchen or living room, but they are required to inform guests that there is a camera present.
Vrbo does not allow surveillance of any kind within the home, but does allow it outside the home.
Vrbo stipulates that in cases where a smart device (like a smart TV) might be equipped with a camera, it must be disclosed. Hosts who violate this policy must issue a full refund of the guest’s stay.
Other vacation and corporate rental companies will have varying policies. Be sure to check your rental documents before booking your stay.
When There Might Be Cameras In Your Hotel Room
Even though it is against the law, bad actors will sometimes leave behind hidden cameras in hotel rooms without the hotel’s knowledge.
There is always a chance, however small, that someone may have hidden a camera so well that hotel staff don’t discover it when they clean out the room in between guests.
How Hotels Are Keeping Guests Safe From Prying Eyes
The safety and privacy of guests should always be a hotel’s number one priority.
That is why rooms are routinely inspected in between guests for items that don’t belong or could pose a threat to future guests. Performing a physical inspection of the room during cleaning clears it of any unexpected or suspicious items.
Hotels thwart the efforts of would-be spies by regularly inspecting smoke detectors and other room fixtures for signs of tampering. In addition to checking for hidden cameras, hotel staff are diligent about inspecting smoke detectors for fire safety purposes as well — so anything stowed away there won’t go undiscovered for long.
Performing regular background checks on new staff also helps hotels look out for guest and corporate travel safety. Hotels are very dedicated to maintaining a professional and trustworthy staff.
How To Check For Hidden Cameras In Your Hotel Room
