How to See if There Are Hidden Video Cameras in Your Airbnb

Do you have a peeping Tom in your Airbnb? Maybe. Airbnb doesn’t prohibit cameras in rooms like living rooms and kitchens.¹ But it does prohibit hidden cameras and cameras used in more private areas like bedrooms and bathrooms. 

There have been many reports of travelers finding cameras where they shouldn’t be, like this newlywed couple in Oregon. Research found that 11% of the 2,000 people surveyed discovered hidden cameras in their vacation rental.²

Here’s how to see if your Airbnb, or another rental like VRBO, has hidden video cameras.

The easiest thing you can do to detect a hidden camera is look for a light. Many cameras have a light on them that is easy to see in a dark room. So, as soon as you get to a room, turn off all the lights, close the curtains, and look in each room for a light.

If the room passes the light test, look around for things that seem out of place that may be a good hiding spot for a camera. A backpack on a nightstand, stuffed animals facing the bed, and holes in walls are all things to investigate. Also peek into plants and flower arrangements.

“Cameras need power to work, so a good starting point is to look at what's plugged into the outlets. And pay extra attention in sensitive areas like bathrooms and bedrooms,” said safety expert Cathy Pedrayes.

Pedrayes has an easy hack that’s free: “If the camera has infrared technology, you can use the front-facing camera on your phone or computer to scan the room. Make sure the lights are all off and it's dark. If there's a camera, you'll see a big spotlight on your phone, and then you can walk up to it and inspect it further.”

Pedrayes recommends testing this technique before you leave home. Remote controls use the same infrared technology as cameras. So, point your remote at your front-facing camera and see if you can see the light. If it doesn’t work with your phone, try your laptop camera.

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1. Airbnb, “Informing Guests About Security Devices.” Accessed July 20, 2022.
2. IPX 1031, “Survey: Do Airbnb Guests Trust Their Hosts?” April 7, 2019.  Accessed July 20, 2022.
3. Vrbo, “Vrbo's Policy on Surveillance Devices at a Property.” Accessed July 20, 2022.