Hidden cameras found by 35,000 Airbnb guests sparked headlines that terrify travelers. But here’s what those scary stories don’t tell you about the real scope of this privacy nightmare.
The truth behind that massive number? It represents customer support tickets filed over 10 years, not individual cases. One hidden camera incident can create multiple tickets when victims call, email, and file complaints. Airbnb won’t reveal how many actual cases occurred.
But the real problem is worse than clickbait headlines suggest. Recent surveys show 8% of vacation rental owners admit they use hidden indoor cameras. When guests actually search their rooms, 1 in 4 find surveillance devices. A South Carolina landlord who secretly recorded over 20,000 renters just got hit with a $45 million jury verdict in September 2024.
Spy cameras disguised as phone chargers cost $30 on Amazon. Smoke detectors with hidden cameras sell for $45. Anyone can buy them. Anyone can hide them in your vacation rental.
35,000 Airbnb Guests Found Hidden Cameras in Their Rooms: The Terrifying Truth About Your ‘Private’ Vacation Rental
What Those “35,000 Hidden Camera” Headlines Really Mean
You’ve seen the scary headlines. “35,000 Airbnb guests found hidden cameras in their rooms!” But here’s what news stories don’t tell you.
i. Why That Big Number Isn’t What You Think
The 35,000 figure comes from a court case in January 2023. Airbnb had to share its records under oath. This wasn’t 35,000 separate incidents. It was 35,000 customer service tickets over 10 years. From 2013 to 2023. And here’s why that matters.
When you find a hidden camera, you might call customer service three times. You email them. You file a complaint. That’s already four tickets from one incident. Airbnb even admitted “a single report could create multiple tickets.”
ii. The Real Story: What’s Actually Happening Right Now
Want to know the truth? Recent studies paint a clearer picture.
Here’s what researchers found in 2024:
i. 8% of vacation rental owners admit they have hidden indoor cameras
ii. 1 in 12 vacation rentals might have surveillance devices
iii. When guests actually look for cameras, 25% find them
iv. 75% of travelers now check for cameras when they arrive
That last number tells you everything. Three out of four people are worried enough to search their rooms actively.
iii. Why These Numbers Keep Getting Worse
In 2019, only 11% of guests who searched for cameras found them. By 2023, that jumped to 25%. More than double.
Why? Hidden cameras got cheaper. They got smaller. They got easier to hide.
A spy camera that looks like a phone charger costs $30 on Amazon. A smoke detector with a hidden camera? $45. Anyone can buy them.
iv. The Cases That Made Headlines
The $45 Million Case: A South Carolina landlord secretly recorded over 20,000 renters. He got caught. A jury made him pay $45 million to his victims.
The Texas “Superhost”: Jay Allee recorded 30+ guests, including children. He only got one year in jail.
The Canada Incident: A 15-year-old girl found a livestreaming camera hidden in her phone charger. The footage was being broadcast online.
These aren’t rare events. They happen every month.
How 2024 Changed Everything for Vacation Rental Safety
Good news. The companies finally started listening. Here’s what changed this year to protect you.
i. Airbnb Just Banned All Indoor Cameras
On April 30, 2024, Airbnb made a huge change. They banned ALL indoor security cameras. Everywhere. No exceptions.
Before this, hosts could put cameras in living rooms and kitchens. They just had to tell you about them. But guests hated it. Who wants to eat breakfast while being recorded?
ii. Why Airbnb Finally Made This Change
They didn’t do it out of kindness. CNN ran a big investigation in July 2024. It showed how Airbnb was hiding camera complaints from the public.
The investigation revealed something shocking. Airbnb was using legal tricks to keep camera incidents secret. They made victims sign agreements to stay quiet.
Public pressure exploded. News stories everywhere. Social media outrage. Airbnb’s stock took a hit. So they changed the policy fast.
iii. What Happens If Hosts Break the New Rules
Airbnb isn’t playing games with this. Break the camera rule and you’re done. Penalties include:
i. Instant listing removal
ii. Account suspension
iii. No appeals process
iv. Loss of all future booking income
The company wants to send a clear message. Follow the camera ban or find another platform.
iv. The $45 Million Wake-Up Call
Courts are getting serious, too. In September 2024, a jury made history.
They ordered a South Carolina landlord to pay $45 million. His crime? Recording over 20,000 renters without permission.
The man had hidden cameras everywhere. Bedrooms. Bathrooms. Living rooms. He recorded people for years. This case changed everything because:
i. It showed that courts will award huge damages
ii. Other victims saw that they could fight back
iii. Landlords realized they could lose everything
iv. Lawyers started taking more cases
v. More Lawsuits Are Coming
That $45 million case opened the floodgates. Now there are class-action lawsuits against major platforms.
Lawyers are lining up to sue hosts who used hidden cameras. And they’re going after the platforms too, for not doing enough to stop it. What this means:
i. Hosts are scared to use hidden cameras
ii. Platforms are creating stricter rules
iii. Victims can get real money when they sue
iv. The legal system is finally taking this seriously
How Bad Is the Hidden Camera Problem Right Now?
You want to know if this is really something to worry about. Here are the numbers that will shock you.
i. The Problem Is Bigger Than You Think
Let’s start with what vacation rental owners admit when no one is watching.
8% of rental owners say they have hidden indoor cameras. That’s 1 in 12 properties.
Think about that for a second. If you stay at 12 different vacation rentals, odds are good that one of them is recording you.
But here’s the scary part. That’s just the owners who admit it.
ii. Why Most Hidden Cameras Never Get Found
Even when people look for cameras, they miss most of them. Professional investigators tested this. They used expensive equipment. Special detectors. Years of experience. They only found 63% of the hidden cameras.
What this means:
i. 4 out of 10 cameras stay hidden
ii. Professional gear isn’t foolproof
iii. Regular travelers find even fewer
iv. Most people don’t know where to look
So when surveys say “25% of guests who search find cameras,” remember this. They’re only finding the easy ones.
iii. The Texas “Superhost” Who Fooled Everyone
Jay Allee had perfect reviews on Airbnb. Guests loved him. He was a “Superhost,” their highest rating.
He was also recording them. Over 30 victims, including children.
When police raided his house, they found terabytes of video. Families changing clothes. Kids in bathrooms. People have private moments.
He got one year in jail. One year for destroying dozens of lives.
iv. The 15-Year-Old Who Exposed a Livestream
Chloe LeBrument was on vacation in Canada with her family. Smart kid. She noticed something weird about the phone charger by her bed.
The “charger” had a tiny camera. It was livestreaming to the internet. Strangers were watching her in real-time.
Her mom posted about it online. The video went viral. How many kids wouldn’t notice? How many times did this happen before she caught it?
v. The TikTok Video That Got 10 Million Views
A woman was using an Airbnb bathroom in Morocco. She spotted a camera hidden in the ceiling.
She made a TikTok video about it. 10 million people watched it. The host got arrested.
But here’s what’s scary, she almost didn’t notice. The camera was tiny. Well-hidden. If she hadn’t looked up at the right angle, she never would have seen it.
vi. Why This Problem Affects Every Platform
Don’t think switching platforms will save you. The problem exists everywhere:
i. Airbnb: New rules, but still relies on guests to report
ii. VRBO: Some camera policies, inconsistent enforcement
iii. Booking.com: Weaker privacy protections
iv. Small platforms: Often, no camera policies at all
How to Actually Find Hidden Cameras (What Works and What Doesn’t)
CNBC hired professional investigators to test different detection methods. They planted 27 hidden cameras in a test room. Then used every detection method available. The result? They only found 17 cameras. That’s 63%.
What this means:
i. Even pros miss 4 out of 10 cameras
ii. No single method catches everything
iii. You need multiple approaches
iv. Perfect detection doesn’t exist
i. The Free Flashlight Trick (Start Here)
This costs nothing and catches more cameras than you’d think.
Camera lenses reflect light differently from normal surfaces. Shine a flashlight around the room. Camera lenses will glint or sparkle back at you.
Step-by-step:
i. Turn off all room lights
ii. Use your phone’s flashlight or any bright light
iii. Slowly scan suspicious areas
iv. Look for tiny reflections that seem out of place
v. Check the same spot from different angles
Where to look first:
i. Smoke detectors (most common hiding spot)
ii. Digital clocks and alarm clocks
iii. Picture frames facing the bed
iv. USB chargers and power adapters
v. Air fresheners and small decorations
This method is free and actually works. Security experts use it because it’s reliable.
ii. Apps That Actually Help
Most camera detector apps are garbage. But a few can spot cameras connected to WiFi. Apps worth downloading:
i. Fing (finds devices on WiFi networks)
ii. Hidden Camera Detector (iOS)
iii. Camera Detector (Android)
How to use them:
i. Connect to the property’s WiFi
ii. Run a network scan
iii. Look for devices with weird names
iv. Check for multiple cameras or recording devices
iii. RF Detectors for WiFi Cameras
These devices find cameras that transmit signals. They work on WiFi cameras, Bluetooth cameras, and wireless cameras.
Price range: $100-$200
What they catch: Cameras that send video wirelessly
What they miss: Cameras that record locally to memory cards
Best budget option: Basic RF detectors that beep when they find transmissions
Truth: These work great for WiFi cameras. But lots of hidden cameras don’t use WiFi at all.
iv. Professional Lens Detectors (The Gold Standard)
This is what security professionals use. These devices find camera lenses even when the camera isn’t powered on.
How they work: They shine infrared light and look for reflections that only camera lenses make.
Success rate: Found 11 out of 27 cameras in professional testing – the best of any method.
The catch: They cost $300-$400.
2025 recommendations:
i. SpyFinder Pro: $179 (often on sale for $129)
ii. Professional models: $300-$500
iii. Law enforcement grade: $2,000+
If you travel a lot for business or have serious privacy concerns, this is your best investment.
v. The Hard Truth About Detection
No method is perfect. Even $2,000 professional equipment misses some cameras. Why detection is hard:
i. Cameras are getting smaller every year
ii. They hide in everyday objects
iii. Many don’t use WiFi or Bluetooth
iv. Professional setups are designed to avoid detection
Your best strategy:
i. Start with free methods (flashlight trick)
ii. Add a budget detector if you travel often
iii. Invest in professional equipment for high-risk situations
iv. Always use multiple methods together
vi. What to Do If You Find Something
Don’t touch it. You’ll destroy fingerprint evidence.
Take photos immediately. Document everything before the host can remove it.
Call the police first. Don’t call the host or platform yet.
Then report to the platform. After you’ve talked to the police.
The next section will show you exactly what legal rights you have and how to protect yourself if this happens.
Remember: Finding 6 out of 10 cameras is infinitely better than finding zero. These methods work. Use them.
What the Law Says About Hidden Cameras (And What You Can Do)
If someone records you without permission, they have broken the law. Here’s what legal protection you actually have.
i. The 2024 Legal Changes That Help You
Courts are finally taking hidden cameras seriously. The $45 million verdict in September 2024 changed everything.
A South Carolina landlord got hit with the biggest privacy judgment in history. He recorded 20,000+ renters without permission. The jury made him pay.
What this means for you:
i. Courts will award real money for privacy violations
ii. Judges are treating this as a serious crime
iii. Lawyers are taking these cases now
iv. You have strong legal weapons if this happens to you
ii. Your Federal Rights Are Stronger Than You Think
The Video Voyeurism Prevention Act makes it a federal crime to record someone in private areas.
What’s protected:
i. Bedrooms where you’re sleeping
ii. Bathrooms where you’re changing
iii. Any private area where you expect privacy
iv. Hotel rooms and vacation rentals count as private
The penalties for hosts:
i. Up to 1 year in federal prison
ii. Hefty fines
iii. Permanent criminal record
iv. Civil lawsuits on top of criminal charges
iii. What to Do the Second You Find a Camera
Your first few moves determine whether the creep gets caught or walks free.
i. Don’t touch anything
ii. Document everything right now
iii. Call police first (not the host)
iv. Report to the platform after the police
v.Talk to a lawyer fast
How to Spot Danger Before You Book
Smart travelers check for red flags before they ever arrive. Here’s what to watch for.
i. Booking Red Flags That Scream “Avoid This Place”
Some warning signs are obvious once you know what to look for. New hosts with sketchy profiles
Red flags:
i. Account created recently (less than 6 months)
ii. No profile photo or fake-looking photo
iii. Vague property description
iv. No reviews or only fake-sounding reviews
v. Won’t answer direct questions about security
ii. Weird Security Camera Language
Hosts who use cameras often give themselves away in their listings.
Watch for phrases like:
i. “Property has security features for your safety.”
ii. “Monitoring system for guest protection”
iii. “Advanced security throughout the property”
iv. Vague mentions of “safety equipment”
The 15-Minute Safety Check Every Smart Traveler Does
Don’t just throw your bags down and relax. Do this quick check first.
i. Minutes 1-5: Visual Sweep
Start with the most common hiding spots.
Check these first:
i. Smoke detectors (most popular hiding spot)
ii. Digital clocks facing the bed
iii. Picture frames with a view of private areas
iv. USB chargers and phone chargers
v. Small decorations that face the room
What to look for: Items positioned to watch private areas. Objects that seem new or out of place. Tiny holes in walls or ceilings. Lenses or reflective surfaces.
ii. Minutes 6-10: The Flashlight Test
This free method catches more cameras than expensive equipment.
How to do it: Turn off all room lights. Use your phone’s flashlight. Slowly scan suspicious areas. Look for tiny reflections or glints. Camera lenses reflect light differently from normal surfaces.
iii. Minutes 11-15: Network Check
Download the Fing app before you travel. It finds devices connected to WiFi. What to do:
i. Connect to the property’s WiFi
ii. Run Fing to scan the network
iii. Look for devices with weird names
iv. Count how many cameras or recording devices show up
Red flag names:
i. Multiple devices called “Camera” or “Cam”
ii. Generic device names like “Android” or “IP_Device”
iii. More devices than expected for the property size
What the Industry Is Actually Doing About This
Companies are finally taking action. But enforcement is still hit-or-miss.
i. Airbnb: Complete Indoor Camera Ban
Airbnb made the biggest change. Zero indoor cameras are allowed anywhere.
No cameras in living rooms, kitchens, or common areas. “Disclosed” cameras anywhere inside. If you find an indoor camera, the host broke the rules. Violations get instant listing removal.
ii. VRBO: Already Had Strong Rules
VRBO banned indoor cameras back in 2022. They were ahead of the game. Their policy:
No cameras inside any rental property. Outdoor cameras must be disclosed. Clear penalties for violations.
iii. Booking.com: Still Weaker
Booking.com relies more on disclosure than prohibition. Their approach:
Hosts must disclose any indoor cameras still allowed if disclosed. Less aggressive enforcement than Airbnb.
FAQs
Did 35,000 Airbnb guests really find hidden cameras in their rooms?
No, that’s not what the number means. The 35,000 figure comes from customer service tickets over 10 years (2013-2023), not individual incidents.
What’s the fastest way to check for hidden cameras in my room?
Turn off all room lightsUse your phone’s flashlight. Slowly scan suspicious areas (smoke detectors, clocks, USB chargers). Look for tiny reflections or glints. Camera lenses reflect light differently from normal surfaces.
What should I do if I actually find a hidden camera?
Don’t touch it. Call the police first. Not the host, not the platform. Don’t touch the camera, you’ll destroy fingerprint evidence. Take photos immediately from multiple angles. Call local police, get a case number. Then report to the platform with the police case number. Find new accommodation right away
Which vacation rental platforms are safest from hidden cameras?
Airbnb is currently the safest. They banned ALL indoor cameras on April 30, 2024. Airbnb: Complete indoor camera ban. Zero tolerance policy. VRBO: Banned indoor cameras in 2022. Good enforcement.