Behind the Scenes of My CNN Appearance: Discussing Hidden Cameras in Airbnbs on Anderson Cooper

Hello, friends. I wanted to share something super exciting that happened recently—I was on CNN! Yes, you read that right. I had the amazing opportunity to appear on Anderson Cooper 360 with my law partner, Belkis to talk about a topic that hits close to home for a lot of us: hidden cameras in Airbnbs. You know how much I love to travel (especially with the whole family), so this issue felt particularly important to dive into. As a mom and a lawyer, safety is always at the top of my list, especially when it comes to privacy on family trips. So, when CNN asked me to join their discussion, I couldn’t say no.

Details

A few years ago, I was featured in The Atlantic about hidden cameras in AirBnBs. CNN producers reached our early this year because the problem is even biggest than before and they wanted to do an investigation. If you’re like me, you’ve probably booked an Airbnb for a family vacation or even a quick weekend getaway. It’s convenient, affordable, and usually way more spacious than cramming everyone into a hotel room. But here’s the thing: what happens when our safe space isn’t so safe? Hidden cameras in rental properties are a growing issue, and it’s something we all need to be aware of—especially us moms who are always juggling safety concerns along with everything else. During the segment, we discussed a pretty disturbing case involving hidden cameras that were discovered in an Airbnb. Now, I know this sounds like something straight out of a movie, but it’s very real, and the legal implications are serious. As a lawyer who’s worked on cases involving privacy issues, I was able to break down what renters should do if they ever find themselves in a similar situation (hopefully, you never do!).

The Legal Part

Basically, if you’re staying in an Airbnb or any vacation rental and you suspect there’s a hidden camera, you’ve got rights. First things first—document everything. Take photos or videos (ironic, right?) of any suspicious devices, report it to Airbnb, and if it’s serious, don’t hesitate to get the police involved. From a legal perspective, it’s all about privacy and safety.  Airbnb has rules in place, but the laws can vary depending on where you’re staying. In most places, it’s completely illegal to have hidden cameras in private spaces like bedrooms and bathrooms. And as a mom, that’s a hard line for me. We need to feel safe when we’re away from home, period.

Behind the Scenes of the Interview

Okay, so a little behind-the-scenes moment for you: being on CNN was kind of surreal. I didn’t meet Anderson Cooper, but I met a really incredible team of producers who work with CNN Senior Investigative Correspondent Kyung Lah. Belkis’ entire living room was transformed into a studio for our interview and the whole team was super professional. It was such a great experience, and I’m so glad I got to share my perspective with a national audience.

What Can We Do to Protect Ourselves?

So, how can we protect ourselves and our families when we’re traveling? Here are a few tips that I shared on the show:

1. Do a quick scan of the room when you first check in. Look for anything that seems out of place (like a weird smoke detector or a clock that doesn’t look quite right).
2. Check your Bluetooth some devices like this will actually appear as a device you can connect to.
3. Use your phone’s flashlight to check for hidden lenses. Cameras reflect light, so this can help spot anything sneaky.
4. Trust your gut. If something feels off, don’t brush it aside. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

I’m hoping this information is helpful, and I’d love to hear from you. Let’s chat about it in the comments! If you or your family have been victims of an invasion of privacy, injury or death in Florida, you can contact my firm, Plata Schott Law any time for a case evaluation. I am always here to help! XOXO, Shannon P.S. If you missed my segment on CNN, you can check it out here. And don’t worry, I’ll be sharing more behind-the-scenes moments soon!