General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFamily Finds Hidden Camera Livestreaming From Their Airbnb in Ireland...
After arriving at their Airbnb in Cork, Ireland, a family from New Zealand made an unsettling discovery: a hidden camera, livestreaming from the living room
Nealie and Andrew Barker, from Auckland, were in the midst of a 14-month trip around Europe when they arrived at the Airbnb property with their four children and niece.
Once the family had unpacked, Andrew Barker, who works in IT security, scanned the houses Wi-Fi network.
The scan unearthed a camera, and subsequently a live feed. From the angle of the video, the family tracked down the camera, concealed in what appeared to be a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector.
It was such a shock. It was just a really horrible feeling, Nealie Barker told CNN.
She called Airbnb to report the camera. They had no advice for us over the phone, she said. The girl just said that if you cancel within 14 days, you wont get your money back.
Next, Andrew Barker called the owner of the property. When confronted with the familys discovery, Nealie Barker said, the host hung up. Later, he called back, insisting the camera in the living room was the only one in the house.
We didnt feel relieved by that, she said, adding that the host refused to confirm whether he was recording the livestream, or capturing audio.
The family relocated to a nearby hotel and called Airbnb the following day. They still didnt seem to grasp the seriousness of the issue. They were treating it like a canceled booking, Nealie Barker said. Ultimately, Airbnbs trust and safety team promised to conduct an investigation, and it temporarily suspended the listing.
According to Nealie Barker, Airbnb did not contact the family again. After she got through to them two weeks later, the company told her that the host had been exonerated, and the listing reinstated.
It was only after she posted about the incident on Facebook and local New Zealand news stations reported her experience that the host was permanently banned, she said.
In a statement, Airbnb told CNN: The safety and privacy of our community both online and offline is our priority. Airbnb policies strictly prohibit hidden cameras in listings and we take reports of any violations extremely seriously. We have permanently removed this bad actor from our platform.
Our original handling of this incident did not meet the high standards we set for ourselves, and we have apologized to the family and fully refunded their stay. There have been over half a billion guest arrivals in Airbnb listings to date and negative incidents are incredibly rare.
Aoife Mullen, communications manager for Irelands Data Protection Commission, told CNN that the commission was aware of the issue, adding, we will be seeking further information from Airbnb on the matter.
The Barker family is currently in Budapest, where, Nealie Barker said, Were staying in an Airbnb right now.
Weve become much more cautious now, she said, advising other travelers to learn how to scan networks for hidden cameras. We think people need to realize that the travel market is largely unregulated and if you would take issue with being filmed, then you need to take all steps properly.
https://ktla.com/2019/04/05/a-really-horrible-feeling-family-finds-hidden-camera-livestreaming-from-their-airbnb-in-ireland/
TheBlackAdder
(28,209 posts).
We got a RF detector and a CCD camera detector from Brickhouse Security.
The RF detector can be set to audible, audible with light, or light, and/or vibration. So you can scan a room without making noise. The CCD detector is a small device you old up to your eye as you look around the room, any camera will flash red. I got them for her, for just these reasons--you never know.
.
hlthe2b
(102,292 posts)Pretty soon, I won't even have room for the toothbrush... sigh
TheBlackAdder
(28,209 posts).
Diatomaceous Earth is great for any type of insect.
Always keep your suitcase in the bathroom with the light on, positioned on a jax.
.
hlthe2b
(102,292 posts)sits in the back/trunk of my car in summer heat for several days upon return, whenever possible, to kill anything that might have gotten through.
pnwmom
(108,980 posts)Last edited Fri Apr 5, 2019, 08:36 PM - Edit history (1)
TheBlackAdder
(28,209 posts).
You just have to know when you are traveling, visit bedbugregistry.com and a couple of other bedbug sites for reports of infestations. You would be surprised how many name brand hotels have outbreaks. I like more rural Hampton Inns because they are not close to transient travelers in airports and seem to run a clean ship. With coupons and their HHonors card, you can get really good prices. Stay away from places with a lot of international travelers.
Bed bugs like darkness, so I keep the suitcase in the lit bathroom and close the door. I always travel with a couple of garbage bags to put the used clothes into. It not only keeps your other fresh clothes from getting a musty smell, but if BBs are on your clothes, it prevents them from spreading. Like hlthe2b mentions, keep the suitcase in a car or black plastic bag in the sun. It needs to get to 120-140 degrees for at least 4 hours. The longer the better. Then, everything in the wash, and the suitcase dusted with DE until the next time it is used, then vacuumed out. This way, if any critters are in the suitcase, the DE will get them.
Just a very light dusting is enough to kill almost any insect.
DE kills soft bodied insects like bedbugs and house centipedes by cutting their skin and they dehydrate.
DE kills hard exoskeleton insects (spiders, fleas, ticks, ants, etc.) by getting in mandibles and joints and in a couple of days they die.
I bought bulk food grade DE at diatomaceousearth.net (sorry for the plug) but they have a really nice green JT Eaton duster. DE can be used to de-worm animals, and we used it on livestock. Since it is food grade, you can cook with it and it adds calcium to food. It has the consistency of fine flour, and you can tell it will dry out a bedbug, because if you handle it, you lose all of the oils on your skin. I bought each family member a 20lb. box with their own duster. That box is no longer available, but 10 lbs lasts a couple of years.
.
pnwmom
(108,980 posts)What are we supposed to do there, in the dark?
Laffy Kat
(16,383 posts)TheBlackAdder
(28,209 posts)Laffy Kat
(16,383 posts)2naSalit
(86,646 posts)how much would those cost?
TheBlackAdder
(28,209 posts).
That's combined cost. There are more expensive ones, but these seemed adequate and pass through customs.
.
2naSalit
(86,646 posts)dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)I had no idea of any of these tools.
Guy Whitey Corngood
(26,501 posts)TheBlackAdder
(28,209 posts)barbtries
(28,799 posts)TheBlackAdder
(28,209 posts)dewsgirl
(14,961 posts)I've heard of pay websites where people actually watch these live streams. Crazy scary.
MagickMuffin
(15,943 posts)I'm also glad that the Barker family are teaching how to scan for networks for hidden cameras. Everyone should know about this for their own privacy and security measures.
hlthe2b
(102,292 posts)from homeowners wanting to monitor for vandalism (or who use that excuse to justify their perverted "peeping"
lunatica
(53,410 posts)Or even if youve had experience with it being trashed? Doesnt Airbnb vet customers?
Merlot
(9,696 posts)of the property. It's easy with people who have good reviews from other hosts, first timers without reviews aren't vetted by anyone.
ksoze
(2,068 posts)geardaddy
(24,931 posts)Response to HipChick (Original post)
AnotherMother4Peace This message was self-deleted by its author.
RedSpartan
(1,693 posts)Here in America -- Greatest. Country. Ever! -- you're lucky to get 14 DAYS of vacation a year. And most people don't even take it, but instead have to use it for sick days or when daycare is closed.
HipChick
(25,485 posts)I worked remote for over a decade, could visit any part of the world...just needed an internet connection..
Tipperary
(6,930 posts)This is just one of the reasons.
PJMcK
(22,037 posts)angrychair
(8,700 posts)Did anyone tell the pervious guest that they might have been filmed?
robbob
(3,531 posts)Couldnt resist! 😁
progressoid
(49,991 posts)Her company has to follow tons of regulations for public safety that Airbnb isn't required to.
LisaM
(27,813 posts)They're easy to book, too.
FM123
(10,053 posts)luvallpeeps
(935 posts)Ewwwwww
samnsara
(17,622 posts)...what if there are security cams in new built homes? In hotel rooms? They can be ANYWHERE! Im not being paranoid but they are so small now and easily hidden and wow the white house better have a rally good exterminator to get rid of the bugs and cams after the trashy trump gang leaves.
Dem2theMax
(9,651 posts)HipChick
(25,485 posts)Dem2theMax
(9,651 posts)and I can never find anything on here. I'm old school, very large desktop computer sitting in another room. Too lazy to go turn it on. LOL.
marlakay
(11,474 posts)So read this thoroughly but I am not staying at Airbnbs because I read Ireland is changing the rules for them starting in May and a lot of people may loose their reservations.
All the regular B & Bs and small hotels I will be in have good reviews. I did look up the link on Amazon and will think about it, I am just taking a small backpack because of not renting a car so the thought of another plug and charger doesnt thrill me.
GulfCoast66
(11,949 posts)I use them or Trip Advisor homes when traveling overseas. Have never had a bad experience.
But I guess if someone gets their jollies from watching a middle aged white guy with a keg abdomen, have at it! It would not be attractive! Believe me, I know cause I have a mirror in the house!
Cant believe this is too common but I hope the person placing the camera is prosecuted.
JI7
(89,252 posts)i think somewhere in southern california.