But hearing that Airbnb allowed a home to stay on the platform after this report is shocking
2024: Airbnb is banning indoor security cameras (341 points, 505 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39669167
2019: Airbnb Has a Hidden-Camera Problem (77 points, 56 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24324300
2019: Airbnb and security camera disclosure (680 points, 393 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18919832
I would rather sit infront of a reception talking to a real person than frantically be in the middle of the road trying to call non-existent support hotlines or email them hoping I get a reply AFTER I've blown my accommodation budget on the provider.
Fuck AirBnb. Book. A. Hotel.
However, Airbnb is becoming more expensive in a lot of places so it may work itself out.
The home was equipped with some security cam that overviewed the hallway to the bathroom and the entire living room.
I covered the cameras with a basket so there was still audio possible.. I figured if the Airbnb owner would complain I had proof that they watched.
After a month back at home I got a message that I got a full refund (didn't ask for it, just wanted to make them change the listing).
“Based on the information provided,” she wrote, “we were not able to conclude that there was a violation of our policy.”
I suspect that “Liviana” is an AI bot and know for a fact that airbnb couldn’t care less about this. A proper justice system would bankrupt them over this.
Although to be fair, why does anyone think letting a random stranger rent you a room is a good idea. I bet people also think the sheets and towels get washed between stays.
I'm thoroughly sick of the template claims and replies with posturings about how much they care, only for these companies to magically never find any issues in slamdunk situations. It's practically industry status quo at this point, like a shadow justice system of the worst kind.
It's not the 70s, the cops can't keep up with robberies and theft, turn a blind eye to drugs and illegal immigrants, and don't even bother with murders and rapes in some places.
What is some barely-trained beat cop going to do about this? If one even arrives after your call, they'll shrug their shoulders and tell you to call AirBNB.
> We called the police, who took the camera as evidence and encouraged us to leave the property immediately. We also contacted Airbnb and were put in touch with Liviana, a member of the company’s safety team...
Filing a police report might be helpful, but I agree this is likely to be frustrating in many places.
A friend once called the cops because a neighbor was having a psychotic break and trying to break into her apartment. This went on for hours - luckily the door was sturdy.
The cops never showed up. The next morning they called her to ask if she was still OK.
In america i'd tell the cops i have a gun loaded and am ready and willing to fire if the neighbour breaks through the wall. Cops tend to show up then
Not a boomer, so I don't have first hand experience, but I think you aptly described large US cities in the 70s. Ever watch Taxi Driver? The boomers are the ones who saw places go from 50s/60s petticoats to exactly what you described.
Actually, no, literally all of that (except the "It's not the 70s" part, obviously) more of a problem at any point during in the late 20th Century (1960s-1990s. peaking in the 1980s) crime wave than it has been any time since.
I was in an AirBnB two nights ago in Wisconsin. It was the second floor of a house with the hosts on the second floor. The shower was in an old claw-foot bathtub. Unfortunately, after I got in, the shower rod fell out of the roof and hit me in the head. Then the rest of the shower mechanism collapsed, spewing water onto the floor.
My first reaction was to figure out how to justify what happened. The host came out to see what happened. She was apologetic and wanted to sincerely make amends. First she offered $50 back. Then as I was leaving, she gave me her entire fee. I've been on the road for awhile and she was the most conscientious service persn I've interacted.
Tonight, I'm in a lesser known brand extended stay suites chain. It took 10 minutes for the clerk to make it to the lobby for my check-in. She gave her reason but it was focused on excusing herself rather than making my experience better. Then for the first time ever, I couldn't get the wifi password right, given what she had written. I want back to ask her and she didn't know and had to experiment. Meh.
In general, corporate AirBnb probably sucks. If the host also sucks, good luck. And a high ceiling but also low floor vs. mediocre hotel chains.
Still, I'm staying at the same chain tomorrow night. Airbnb was too expensive...
danso•3h ago
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/travel/airbnb-refund-came...