Finding a hidden camera in a rental is terrifying. You did the right thing by leaving immediately, documenting what you saw, and filing reports with both the platform and police. That host’s “his” reply only reinforced that you couldn’t trust the property.
Do a 2-minute sweep at any stay: scan ceilings, vents, clocks, chargers, smoke/CO detectors, and anything facing beds or baths. Kill the lights and use your phone flashlight—lenses often glint. Open your phone’s front camera to spot faint purple IR dots from night-vision cams.
If you spot a device, don’t confront onsite. Get out, take clear photos/video (including the device’s view and any SD slot/labels), and contact local police plus the platform’s safety line. Keep all messages, ask for an incident number, and request relocation/refund in writing.
Afterward, change passwords, enable 2FA, and consider a credit freeze if IDs were visible. For future trips, carry a tiny “privacy kit”: lens/RF detector, painter’s tape to cover pinholes, a USB data blocker, and a nightlight for dark-room checks. Your safety > any booking.
