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Airbnb Host Banned After Hidde...

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Airbnb Host Banned After Hidden Camera Found In Smoke Alarm

Brendan O'Loughlin
Brendan O'Loughlin

02:32 5 Apr 2019


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An Airbnb host has been banned from the site after a hidden camera was found in a rented home in Cork.

It was discovered in a smoke alarm by a family who were visiting from New Zealand last month.

The Barker family unpacked their bags, and like many, tried to connect to the WiFi.

Nealie's husband tried with his phone, expecting to see the house's network.

She said:

"Instead he saw a device called an IT camera, which didn't belong to any of us".

When her husband tapped on it, Nealie said:

"Almost immediately the live feed of a video camera that we didn't know was there popped up onto his mobile phone and we could all see ourselves".

The family eventually found the camera hidden in what looked like a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm.

The Barkers phoned the host, who eventually admitted hiding the camera.

The family took screenshots and sent them to Airbnb, but the company initially cleared the host of any wrongdoing.

Airbnb now says it's removed the "bad actor" from the site and insists hidden cameras are never allowed.

It's also apologised to the family and given them a full refund.

The Data Protection Commission is also investigating.

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