Hidden cameras found at Airbnb rental rooms in Taiwan

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A couple from Hangzhou city found two hidden cameras inside the Airbnb Taiwan house they were staying in earlier this year, and Airbnb apologized on Friday through its official Weibo account.

Photo via wikimedia

It’s said that the couple booked the room online for a trip in the city of Kaosiung, and the man spotted a spy camera disguised as a fire detector flashing light in the bathroom on the night they arrived in. Later on, the couple found another hidden camera inside the fire detector in the bedroom.

Photo via Beijing Youth Daily

They took the matter to police right away, and the local police department said the devices captured footages of the couple watching TV in bed and the guy taking a bath.

Airbnb finally responded to the controversy last Friday, by posting a statement on its official Weibo account and apologizing for the privacy infringements among customers. The house owner in the case has been removed from their community. Airbnb upholding the company’s zero-tolerance policy will also provide a full refund to the couple.

Screenshot of Airbnb's Weibo account

However, the couple said they haven’t received any contact from the company, according to Beijing Youth Daily. They also took legal proceedings against the responsible house owner, but there’s no respond either.

The local police department said the case was under investigation and confirmed that a final hearing will be held next Friday.

Screenshot of Airbnb website

This is not the first such case. A Korean couple travelling to Japan also found a hidden camera installed in the Airbnb house they rented in July.

The business models of the emerging sharing economy like Airbnb, are supposed to be based on trust; however, the simple concept has always been challenged.

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