Discovery of Concealed Cameras in Airbnb Apartment

Canadian traveler Zena Melis, who has often relied on Airbnb for accommodation during her trips, encountered a troubling situation when she booked an apartment in Santa Monica, California, for a six-week stay. While residing in the apartment with her one-and-a-half-year-old son, Zena stumbled upon concealed cameras disguised as ordinary devices like smoke detectors.

Her attention was drawn to a peculiar feature—a smoke detector connected via a USB cable. Her suspicions were confirmed when she found an identical device on Amazon, advertised as a hidden camera. She subsequently used a specialized application to identify devices connected to the Wi-Fi network, which uncovered several other unidentified gadgets. Startled by these findings, Zena vacated the apartment immediately, reported the issue to local law enforcement, and contacted Airbnb to lodge a complaint.

Airbnb's Response and Key Takeaways

Upon contacting Airbnb, Melis initially received only a partial refund. However, after media coverage and continued complaints, she was reimbursed in full. Airbnb officials emphasized that their policies strictly forbid the use of hidden surveillance equipment in rental properties and stated that such cases are extremely rare. The host involved was banned from the platform, and Airbnb continued to provide support to the affected guest.

Security specialists, such as Michael Jagger from Providence Security, stress the importance of physically inspecting rental properties for hidden surveillance, alongside utilizing technology to scan Wi-Fi networks. He pointed out that hidden cameras are commonly camouflaged as everyday objects, such as smoke detectors or chargers.

Safety Advice for Travelers

This incident underscores the necessity for vigilance and thoroughness when selecting accommodation via platforms like Airbnb. Travelers are advised not only to use apps that scan networks for hidden devices but also to conduct a physical examination of the rental space for suspicious items. In the end, ensuring security and peace of mind during trips largely depends on the awareness and cautiousness of the travelers themselves.