Outside cameras are permitted - in our experience, external security cameras and/or video-based doorbells are common.
Internal cameras (or recording devices) are not permitted - “during a sit, no internal recording or monitoring devices can be enabled”. We interpret this to include audio.
External + internal - “all devices must be disclosed to a sitter before a sit starts, and a pet parent must display this information on their listing as well as their Welcome Guide”
Perhaps a whisker paranoid but we carry a detection device. Quickly sweep property, in each mode, at start of housesit. Device about size of a marker pen. No idea of its reliability but certainly finds wifi-enabled devices. Amazon.com : Kizzox K16 Pro Hidden Camera Detectors, Hidden Devices Detector, Magnetic/RF Signal/IR laser Detector for Hidden camer/GPS Tracker/Listening Device, Bug and Camera Detector for Hotel,Car,Office,Travel : Electronics
I believe this takes photos as opposed to video (and yes video is just a series of photos) and am not sure about audio capabilities. You can slide the cover up to block the camera but again not sure about audio.
Unfortunately with security systems with remote access by app you’re in the hands of the homeowner. They can “turn off” the camera to comply with THS policies but since they have remote access to turn it on at any time and watch or record live images that’s all just for show.
THS could include a mandatory listing field requirement for every pet parent and provide a warning during the listing input stage. That could solve a lot of these issues
Have you reported the incidents where there’s been interior cameras to Trusted Housesitters?
@IHeartAnimals I really liked your idea, and shared it with the team, and they’ve shared these screenshots which show what the owner sees when they’re setting up their listing.
Unfortunately @Jenny that’s only reaching the new members and not the owners who use THS often but just post the same listing each time, not bothering to update it at all. There should be an automatic alert for these owners to check they are complying with the new changes that have been introduced the last twelve months at least - e.g security cameras, third parties, internal photos of rooms sitters will be using; Amenities list.
@jenny could you also feed back that as “pet cams“ … are not a security camera … owners with pet cams won’t get this pop up and therefore might not realise that these must be disabled during a sit .
That’s good that they have that. But a systemwide reminder email to all pet parents that goes out sever times a year would also be helpful. A statement that violation could mean getting kicked off the platform would help too.
I’m horrified as a HO! What if you’re walking about in the altogether….? My goodness! Scarey. You (all sitters) should carry a pack of stickers with you to put over all the camera view thingys.
@Elsa1 - stickers could come in very handy - either to cover the camera lens or our private parts. Hopefully the sticker kits would come in differing sizes
@temba I concur—every listing publication with new dates should trigger an immediate alert, alongside a definitive statement of automatic exclusion upon any breach. Warnings alone are inadequate.
As @Maggie8K previously highlighted, these violations are not only severe but also illegal, especially when they compromise the safety of families traveling with children and teenagers.
The first one was two years ago, and they didn’t renew their membership. As far as I am aware they ended up paying a lot of money for my one and only sit, as I never saw any other dates or reviews for them. The other two are still on the site, but do not have current active dates. But THS know about them already.
It’s great that owners see these warnings when they make a listing. Are they also reminded of them when adding new dates?
Sadly though, my previous sitters lied, so they were clearly well aware it was not allowed to have the cameras. We can’t stop them from lying. So is it possible to make it clear owners risk their membership by having them? Thanks
@BillyBonnieBenji I’m not the least bit surprised they’re still accepted on the platform. Members are instructed to flag these issues, to contact THS support etc. etc… yet when they follow through—nothing.
