Post by High Priestess on Oct 16, 2018 3:03:43 GMT
Many hosts like to use either RIng doorbells or external surveillance cameras to verify that the guests do not bring extra guests, or smoke in the unit, etc.
However, there are some risks with doing this, that hosts should be aware of.
First, Airbnb requires that hosts who have any surveillance camera at their property, disclose this not only in their listing description but also in the list of amenities/things guests need to be aware of. This, in addition to weapons on the property, needs to be something that is disclosed to guests.
But there's another less known problem associated with Ring doorbells and surveillance cameras. ANd that has to do with whether they are set up to do sound recording.
I had no idea that Ring Doorbells recorded sound, or involved sound. But a host in another host group mentioned something to that effect this week. Also, a number of external surveillance/security type cameras may record sound.
This presents a legal problem in any state that prohibits recording of sound, without people's permission, as does California. I found out a while back that sales of any type of video surveillance cameras (and now apparently Ring and other video doorbells) in my state are complicated by the fact that:
(1) in my state, it's illegal to record any sound with any electronic device, if the person you are recording doesn't know you're recording them and/or hasn 't given permission to you to do so.
(2) video cameras/doorbells may well be sold in my state (or other states where this is illegal to do) without any information on the product stating that they record sound
(3) hence, a person could buy such a device, fully unaware that it records sound, and find themselves in trouble if they use it to record video and then only later discover that it records sound, and the person recorded has found that out about the device.
This could actually be actionable under law and the owner of the electronic device could end up sued.
So, you definitely need to understand the laws in your state, If the guests do any research on the doorbell you're using, and discover it records sound, and find out your state law prohibits recording of sound w/o permission, they could sue you, even if you didn't intentionally record sound, or even if they were not recorded on the device.
www.shouselaw.com/eavesdropping.html
There are just too many legal "ifs" and potential problems with electronic recording devices, particularly as an Airbnb host, which is why I'm disinclined to use them even if they might be valuable crime deterrents.
However, there are some risks with doing this, that hosts should be aware of.
First, Airbnb requires that hosts who have any surveillance camera at their property, disclose this not only in their listing description but also in the list of amenities/things guests need to be aware of. This, in addition to weapons on the property, needs to be something that is disclosed to guests.
But there's another less known problem associated with Ring doorbells and surveillance cameras. ANd that has to do with whether they are set up to do sound recording.
I had no idea that Ring Doorbells recorded sound, or involved sound. But a host in another host group mentioned something to that effect this week. Also, a number of external surveillance/security type cameras may record sound.
This presents a legal problem in any state that prohibits recording of sound, without people's permission, as does California. I found out a while back that sales of any type of video surveillance cameras (and now apparently Ring and other video doorbells) in my state are complicated by the fact that:
(1) in my state, it's illegal to record any sound with any electronic device, if the person you are recording doesn't know you're recording them and/or hasn 't given permission to you to do so.
(2) video cameras/doorbells may well be sold in my state (or other states where this is illegal to do) without any information on the product stating that they record sound
(3) hence, a person could buy such a device, fully unaware that it records sound, and find themselves in trouble if they use it to record video and then only later discover that it records sound, and the person recorded has found that out about the device.
This could actually be actionable under law and the owner of the electronic device could end up sued.
So, you definitely need to understand the laws in your state, If the guests do any research on the doorbell you're using, and discover it records sound, and find out your state law prohibits recording of sound w/o permission, they could sue you, even if you didn't intentionally record sound, or even if they were not recorded on the device.
www.shouselaw.com/eavesdropping.html
There are just too many legal "ifs" and potential problems with electronic recording devices, particularly as an Airbnb host, which is why I'm disinclined to use them even if they might be valuable crime deterrents.