Sarunas Tarvydas

Storyteller • Photographer • Filmmaker • Explorer

[Sarunas Tarvydas @TSarunas]

@London_W4 Can confirm.

[Sarunas Tarvydas @TSarunas]

@Rach4Patriarchy Well, Oktoberfest is just around the corner.

[Brendan van Son @Brendanvanson]

An update to the @airbnb mess from a couple weeks ago - because it's just been a massive failure on the part of @AirbnbHelp despite breaches of @AirbnbPolicy.

We were in a small nearly all glass apartment in Buzios, Brazil. It became known to us that our host was monitoring us through security cameras in the condo complex.

We found this out as the host sent us a photo of our dog off leash (he snuck out the front door for 30seconds when we were cleaning). The host tried to fine us for having our dog off leash on the property.

First of all, for them to have noticed 30 seconds in 2 weeks proves they were monitoring us. Second of all, the camera it was taken from was an undisclosed security camera (which breaks the terms and conditions of Airbnb and Brazilian law).

We filed a complaint with AirBnb.

Airbnb pretended to take it seriously, and then took the side of the host without asking us for any evidence of the cameras. Then, the support thread was closed.

I would open a new thread stating, "I'd like to provide evidence that the host is monitoring us and breaking terms and conditions, AND Brazilian law." To which AirBnb (or their AI bots) would again say something along the lines of "We reviewed the case, though the cameras are undisclosed, the cameras belong to the condo and not the host, therefore though they break our terms, there's nothing we can do about it.

Now, obviously, when selling the AirBnb the host includes the swimming pool, gym, BBQ area, etc. of the condo complex. So, if those areas do not belong to the host, how are they allowed to be in the listing. If they're included in the listing, are they also not protected under the terms of AirBnb?

And whether or not they are is beside the point, and irrelevant.

The following day, I looked around our apartment for other cameras. I found 4-5 other cameras. Some of these cameras were pointing directly at our all windowed apartment. I'm sure that they would be able to see inside our apartment.

I opened more threads on Airbnb support.

I wanted to offer evidence, photos, and proof that there were more cameras present.

AirBnb didn't want evidence. They already gathered evidence from the host.

Imagine, a world where the victim isn't allowed to provide evidence:
"Someone broke into my house, officer!"
"Sorry, we have already talked to the burglur. They said they didn't do it."
"Sir, I have evidence."
"Sorry, the accused already denied it. So we don't need evidence."
"I literally have photos of the crime."
"This case has been closed as the accused has stated they didn't do it."

I decided to let it go as finally an AirBnb support member assured me they were going to take things seriously, and they would get back to me. They told me quite honestly that the case was "complicated" since the cameras weren't owned directly by the host and they offered to refund us a couple nights of the stay so we could leave early and move to a hotel.

However, I didn't care about any of that. I didn't want to get something out of AirBnb. All I wanted was a message from the AirBnb staff stating something simple like:
"We have talked to the host. They agreed that in the future they will put a note in their listing that there are security cameras on the condo property and you may be monitored while on the condo grounds. Also, can you please send us some photos of the cameras that you found that are looking into your apartment so we can notify the host of their presence so she can request them moved?"

But no, none of that.

In fact, Airbnb support just continued to dodge me, never requested evidence, and continuously closed threads.

It has been nearly a month since the incident, and still to this day, AirBnb has not once asked me for evidence. Nor have they provided me a promise that they have asked this host to make the required changes to follow their terms and conditions.

I personally stay in hotel or hosted accommodation about 200 days a year. Between my 2 travel companies, I also book about 700-800 rooms a year. Since AirBnb has refused to prove to me that they care even a little bit about the experience, privacy, and safety of guests, I'll be cutting AirBnb from any of my bookings moving forward - unless a proper response finally comes of this.

It is an unbelievable scenario when a guest can say, "I feel like the host is violating my personal privacy". And AirBnb's response is, "We talked to the host and they said they're not. The matter is concluded".

It's an even grater failure in responsibility when even AirBnb agrees that the terms and conditions have been violated, but they can't take action. It proves that their legally binding terms and conditions mean nothing.

The terms and conditions are there to protect only the host and the company. The guests do not care. That's the message, use it as you may.

[Sarunas Tarvydas @TSarunas]

@Will_Tanner_1 Well, that's the thing. It works for one person or a couple, but not for a family with a bunch of kids. I wonder if this is an attempt to bring us back to the longhouse.

[Sarunas Tarvydas @TSarunas]

@ericweinstein @joerogan You can make it go away by saying it's just all deliberate lies/propaganda.

[Sarunas Tarvydas @TSarunas]

@CountDankulaTV https://t.co/8qE2Eyde9f

[Sarunas Tarvydas @TSarunas]

@DJSnM I wonder if Starship will survive the splashdown like Flight 13.

[Sarunas Tarvydas @TSarunas]

@theiaincameron Plenty of Americans willing to pay these prices.

[Sarunas Tarvydas @TSarunas]

@ClarkeMicah To condition the people for war?

[Sarunas Tarvydas @TSarunas]

@SciGuySpace

[Sarunas Tarvydas @TSarunas]

@London_W4 Not just pubs. Peoples homes too.

[Sarunas Tarvydas @TSarunas]

@Gonzohall It depends on the change and, as you said, whether the balance is maintained. Unfortunately, it isn't. Housing prices keep rising while the local income levels aren't keeping pace.

[Sarunas Tarvydas @TSarunas]

@Brendanvanson Pics so good that even X believes its AI.

[Sarunas Tarvydas @TSarunas]

@Cernovich None of these things are the domain of modern physics. Not saying it should or shouldn't be, just that that's the way it is.

[Sarunas Tarvydas @TSarunas]

@andrewswalks Sick shot 😍

[Sarunas Tarvydas @TSarunas]

@ThorupMikkel Yep. Propaganda here is heavy and a lot of people are not particularly bright.

[Sarunas Tarvydas @TSarunas]

@PeterMcCormack Economically not so much though.

[Andrew McCarthy @AJamesMcCarthy]

The partially eclipsed sun melts into the Mediterranean Sea.

I can’t get over this experience.

I captured thousands of photos- I’ll be sharing my favorite later tonight.

[Sarunas Tarvydas @TSarunas]

@CountDankulaTV From 2021. Edinburgh.