'Hidden cameras' in Airbnb rental were actually electrical outlets, B.C. RCMP confirm
Authorities have confirmed a series of "hidden cameras" guests thought they had discovered in an Airbnb rental on B.C.'s Sunshine Coast were actually just electrical outlets.
The guests were celebrating a birthday at the property back in April when they found what they believed to be cameras in the electrical sockets of the bathrooms.
Disturbed by the discovery, one of the friends posted a now-viral TikTok video that was viewed millions of times.
Authorities removed the electrical outlets from the home and sent them to a laboratory for forensic and functional examination, which ultimately determined they "did not contain cameras, lenses or any type of storage/recording devices," the Sunshine Coast RCMP revealed Tuesday.
"The complainants, the homeowner and Airbnb have all been notified of this finding," the detachment said in a news release.
The guest who shared the incident on TikTok, Kennedy Calwell, told CTV News she only did so after an RCMP officer suggested that cameras had been found on the property.
A screenshot of a text message exchange provided by Calwell says, "We got the cameras."
"We would not have gone public about this if they hadn't confirmed it," Calwell wrote to CTV News on Tuesday. "If there were no hidden cameras we are relieved as this whole situation has caused us all an unnecessary amount of stress and anxiety. We are grateful the RCMP have been so helpful … the confusion is unfortunate for everyone involved."
Authorities acknowledged that both the Sunshine Coast RCMP and members of a specialized unit that helped respond to the incident initially found the electrical outlets "did look suspicious."
Airbnb suspended the property owner from its platform while the investigation was underway, but confirmed the owner has since been reinstated.
"Airbnb is thankful to the Sunshine Coast RCMP for their investigation, and our hope is that the guests are reassured by their findings," the company said in a statement.
"Our stance remains firm – hidden cameras are prohibited on Airbnb, and issues of that nature on our platform are incredibly rare."
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Angela Jung
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bloc won't hold Liberals 'hostage' over seniors' benefits: cabinet minister
Liberal cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says the Liberals will not be 'held hostage' by the Bloc Quebecois' demand to expand Old Age Security to more seniors.
Police identify Toronto victim of alleged serial killer
Toronto police have identified the woman who was allegedly killed by a suspected serial killer earlier this month.
Missing father, kids spotted in New Zealand wilderness 3 years after disappearance: police
A New Zealand man who disappeared with his three children in 2021 was spotted on a farm along the country's northwest coast, police say.
No jail time for man who fatally stabbed senior in Vancouver
A man who stabbed a senior to death in Vancouver's Biltmore Hotel building in 2020 has been given a conditional sentence for the killing, meaning he will not serve any jail time if he remains on good behaviour in the community.
Job growth numbers 'good news' in Canada but there are concerns, according to an economist
An economist says the latest job growth numbers in Canada are 'good news,' but he has concerns following Statistic Canada's report.
EXCLUSIVE: 'We were privileged to be friends with our sister': Family mourns murdered N.S. woman
More than a month after the murder of Nova Scotia woman Esther Jones, her family continues to grapple with the loss.
Hot-air balloon strikes and collapses radio tower in Albuquerque during festival
A hot-air balloon struck and collapsed a radio tower Friday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, during the city's famous festival -- the second time in 20 years that a balloon has come into contact with the tower.
B.C. billionaire posts third large sign criticizing NDP ahead of the election
British Columbia billionaire Chip Wilson has put up yet another billboard message to voters, his third post outside his multimillion-dollar mansion in NDP Leader David Eby's own riding.
Longueuil woman charged after 10-year-old boy scalded with boiling water
A woman from Montreal's South Shore appeared in court on Friday on charges of aggravated assault after allegedly scalding a 10-year-old boy with boiling water more than one week ago.