Woman sues Airbnb after ‘finding hidden camera in rented apartment’

IT’S a short-stay renter’s worst nightmare. This woman claims she found a spycam after walking around an Airbnb flat naked.

A WOMAN is suing Airbnb after allegedly finding a hidden camera in the California apartment she rented through the site.

Edith Schumacher is taking legal action against both the site and the apartment’s owners after the violation of privacy.

After staying at the apartment for three days in 2013, she claims her and her partner Kevin Stockton spotted the camera hidden between candles on a shelf.

Mrs Schumacher claims she told Airbnb about the hidden camera, but the apartment rental site continued to let the owners rent out their apartment.

Her lawsuit read: “Mrs Schumacher is deeply humiliated and angry about the fact the camera was and/or could have been used to spy upon her while she was completely undressed and walking around within the property.

“Moreover, she has been and continues to be concerned images of her exist in electronic form and could make their way onto the internet or some other medium.”

Airbnb says it has a “zero tolerance policy” for hidden cameras and claims it immediately removes hosts from listings for breaching the rule.

A spokesman said: “Though we do not comment on pending litigation we will defend it vigorously. Airbnb takes privacy issues extremely seriously.

“Airbnb warns hosts to fully disclose whether there are security cameras or other surveillance equipment at or around the listing and to get consent where required.”

Originally published as Woman sues Airbnb after ‘finding hidden camera in rented apartment’