A woman is issuing a warning to cat owners about automatic litter boxes after the tragic death of her cat, Mochi. Here's what we know so far.

TikTok user Carli Jay (@carli.jay) posted a video yesterday detailing the horrifying situation. “So I hate that I’m having to make this, but I just want to warn everyone and anyone who has or plans to get a robot litter box.”

After an emotional pause, Jay reveals why she is issuing this warning. “Yesterday morning, we woke up—me and my 2-year-old daughter—and I went to find my cat, and she was hanging from her litter box.”

What happened to the cat

Jay continues, “It had closed on her neck and there was red stuff everywhere. And she was gone .I just want to warn anyone—just don’t use them. They are dangerous. I have a 2-year-old daughter. If it can be a cat it can be anything. Our poor baby Mochi. Nothing will bring her back.”

She urges anyone who is considering purchasing a robotic litter box to reconsider the decision. And anyone who already has one should throw it away. She indicates that the brand that made her robot litter box has reached out to her about this incident.

“I just want everyone to be aware that they are dangerous,” she says.

More details in a follow-up video

In a follow-up video, Jay answers questions from TikTok users about the specifics of the situation. She replies to a user wrote wrote, “Yeah we're gonna need a little more information, like which litter robot? Mine stops moving if any motion is detected and won't restart for like 10 mins after or else you have to manually start it.”

One thing she says she will not reveal the name of the brand that she owns, because she is not yet sure what she is legally able to say on social media.

“As soon as I hear what I’m allowed to say, I absolutely will blast the company,” she says. “I don’t want this ever happening again.”

Jay says her robotic litter box was new, and it came equipped with sensors and an app that alerted her when Mochi used it. “It definitely had a sensor,” she says. “It sensed when she was in front of it. The thing would constantly stop. But something happened. It happened in the night when we were sleeping.”

She adds, “I will say ours had a door. And that’s what went up … [and] she was hanging from.” Jay says that in her mind, it’s easier to scoop cat waste manually rather than having to worry about a fatal malfunction—however unlikely it might be.

Viewers react … and speculate

The videos have amassed a combined 430,000 views as of Monday evening. In the comments, users offered condolences, suggestions, and speculation.

One user wrote, “Omg I’m so sorry please sue them so they take this off the market and do a recall.” Jay replied, “Thank you, they have stopped selling it on Amazon... I'll be seeking legal action tomorrow as it is the weekend.”

Another user wrote, “I have the Litter Robot... The sensors are amazing. I can definitely see this happening with one of the cheaper knock off ones. I’m so sorry.”

Someone else wrote, “Which brand? I have litter robot but it does have pinch detect and is safe. Please which brand was it.” While Jay did not confirm the manufacturer, the Daily Dot has reached out to the brand mentioned in the comments section for comment.

@carli.jay Automatic litter boxes can be dangerous #cats #catsoftiktok #cats #catlover #cat #automaticlitterbox #cattok #catlovers #viral #viraltiktok ♬ original sound - 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚕𝚒 𝚓𝚊𝚢

We also reached out to Amazon via email and Jay via TikTok comment and direct message for comment.

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The post ‘There is a reason the Litter Robot is 1K’: Woman issues warning about automatic litter boxes after cat dies appeared first on The Daily Dot.

A woman slammed Publix’s response after her car was hit by a shopping cart in the Publix parking lot. She says the store is denying her the surveillance footage.

TikTok user Myriam (@myriamestrella8) posted a video on Monday. It shows her in the parking lot of a Publix grocery store. In the video's text overlay, she wrote, "POV: when a shopping cart gets RAMMED into your new car but Publix REFUSES to release the footage to you after they watched it."

Myriam added in the caption, "Why all the secrecy @Publix ??" The video has amassed more than 352,000 views as of Tuesday evening. In the comments section, users weighed in on the situation and offered advice for how Myriam might handle the situation moving forward.

One user wrote, “They have to show police but aren’t required to show regular customers. Call PD, ask them to come take an accident report and review the camera footage for insurance purposes.”

A second user agreed. “File a police report. They have to show it to the cops. My daughter’s car was stolen and they wouldn’t show her the footage but they showed police,” they wrote.

@myriamestrella8 Why all the secrecy @Publix ♬ original sound - †

What should you do if your car gets hit in a private parking lot?

It obviously depends on the location and the business in question, but security camera footage outside businesses like Publix can capture fair amounts of the parking lot. And the CCTV footage can be stored for sometimes as long as 90 days. But that doesn’t always mean you’ll get the footage by asking the business directly.

A Quora user asked, “Can I ask to see the security cameras at Walmart or other retail stores?”

One of the replies came from a former Walmart employee. “I worked at the service desk. We occasionally got requests for the video from the parking lot, mostly for someone hitting their car while they shopped, but sometimes for a break in. I always had to tell them that they aren't allow to have or see tapes, but when the incident is reported to the police the tapes can be released to them instead.”

She continued, “Give the police all the information you have regarding the times and location of your car in the parking lot, and Walmart will absolutely release whatever tapes the police need.”

The Daily Dot reached out to Myriam via TikTok comment and direct message for comment. We also reached out to Publix via email for comment.

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A man bought a used car but was unpleasantly surprised to find the previous owner wrote her name on the interior. To make matters worse, she did it in permanent marker in several spots.

TikTok user @mrburgies recently purchased a used car. Anyone who’s bought a used car knows that the interior can sometimes come with a bit of character. For example, it may come with a scratch on the dashboard or a stain on the mats. But @mrburgies’s new car was apparently owned by a girl named Emily who had a penchant for signing her name—with a permanent marker. She scrawled her name in multiple places on the car’s interior.

The TikToker zooms in on each of the three signatures. The signatures are accompanied by the kind of hearts a teenage girl would sketch on her school notebook. In the video’s text overlay, @mrburgies wrote, “POV: you buy a used car and a random girls name is signed all over it in permanent marker.” In the caption, he added, “i can’t get it out.”

@mrburgies

i cant get it out

♬ original sound - ⋆˚✿˖° shiloh 🩷

The video has amassed more than 2.6 million views as of Wednesday morning. In the comments, users offered advice and also stories about things they’ve found in used cars in the past.

One user asked, “You didn’t view the car before?”

A second user wrote, “My brothers car had a picture of a random girl at prom pop up on the screen whenever the car started.”

A third user wrote, “Rubbing alcohol for the plastic and nail polish remover for the fabric!!!!!!!!!!! Try it out and see if it works, worked for getting it off my clothes!!!”

Several users named Emily joined the chat. “Heyy so sorry about that pls dont erase it tho,” one of them joked.

Another person wrote, “In my car I got I have a picture of some old couple I’m assuming grandparents holding there grandbaby for what looks like the first time and I keep it in my sun visor.”

Downsides of buying a used car

When you’re buying a used car, your options are going to be limited based on what you can afford. If you’re looking for something under $10,000, you might sacrifice interior aesthetics for reliability under the hood. There are plenty of TikTok experts offering advice on how to navigate what has been an unpredictable market over the past several years.

The Daily Dot reached out to @mrburgies2 via email for comment.

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The post ‘I can’t get it out’: Man buys used car. He can’t believe what the old owner did to the inside with permanent marker appeared first on The Daily Dot.

A frustrated mechanic issues a warning about getting your car diagnosed at AutoZone in this viral TikTok.

TikTok user @ifixtingz is a mobile mechanic based in Las Vegas. Last week, he posted a video while on a job to air out his frustration with AutoZone employees. “So sick of these [expletives] at AutoZone diagnosing a car,” he says. “Told the customer she needed a canister vent valve. Customer argued with me, told me that the AutoZone guy knows what he’s talking about 'cause he’s a part professional for 20 years. So I come out diagnose the car myself, and it’s the [expletive] gas cap. I [expletive] hate AutoZone.”

The video has amassed more than 51,000 views as of Monday afternoon. In the comments, users offered their opinions on the diagnostic power of AutoZone.

One user wrote, “It's almost as if it's just a convenience store... not sure why everybody puts their faith in a clerk. with that being said I've delt with some really shaddy mechanics in my day so it's a 50/50.”

A second user wrote, “That code will pope up for a purge valve solenoid no matter what but always go the cheaper route first and start with the gas cap. Vaseline around the seal is another good trick.”

Someone else wrote, “As a former autozoner I always tell people this is a POSSIBLE solution and to take it to a mechanic so they can tell you the exact problem.”

Another user wrote, “It’s the equivalent of web md vs going to the doctor.”

The AutoZone Fix Finder

AutoZone’s diagnostic service, known as “Fix Finder,” checks several warning lights and maintenance indicators on your vehicle. The AutoZone tech will hook your car up to a machine and run a report, which will identify potential issues and corresponding repairs. "If you need further help, AutoZone's knowledgeable staff can assist in finding the right parts and even suggest trusted local technicians," the website states.

@ifixtingz las Vegas Mobile mechanic #wecometoyou #brakes #lasvegas #mobilemechanic #mobileautomotiveservice #mechanicshoponwheels #autorepair #lasvegasmobileautorepair #checkenginelight #airconditioning #ifixtingz ♬ original sound - ifixtingz

Customer service experiences at AutoZone can be something of a mixed bag, apparently. A man went viral in April after he said an AutoZone employee shamed him for asking for help changing his windshield wipers.

A Reddit user asked r/Mechanic a couple of years ago whether the service is reliable. In response, one user wrote, “Currently work at AutoZone, they’re fairly accurate in giving a general idea of what part needs to be replaced. It’ll easily pickup misfire codes and automatically recommend plugs and coils (that’s pretty much the most common issue we get) but there are times where it’ll either malfunction and give info from a previous vehicle or just not work at all. It’s an ok tool to use if you have absolutely no idea where to start looking, but I’d recommend investing in a personal reader as well to keep with you.”

The Daily Dot reached out to @ifixtingz via TikTok comment and direct message for comment. We also reached out to AutoZone via website contact form for comment.

In a comment to the Dot, @ifixtingz wrote, "I was a little harsh on them. I probably could have been more professional."

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The post ‘I … hate AutoZone’: Mechanic issues warning about getting car diagnosed at AutoZone appeared first on The Daily Dot.

In a viral TikTok video, a woman warns Tesla owners against getting their tires changed at Costco. But not all viewers agree with the PSA.

TikTok user Alexa (@lowimpactfi) posted a video over the weekend from the parking lot at Costco. The camera zooms into the tire center, where there’s a Tesla raised up on a lift. “So my brother works for Tesla, and he just said, ‘If you go to Costco, don’t let them change your tires like this, because it’s going to damage your battery,’” she says.

She continues, “So how this car is up there with … no jack pads. If you go to a tire center and have your tires changed like this, it’s going to damage your battery. You’re welcome.”

In the caption, Alexa writes, “My brother was so stressed watching this Tesla getting its tires changed without the correct Jackpads. He is not allowed to make social media posts so I am sharing on his behalf.”

What the Tesla manual says

Tesla says on the “Jacking and Lifting” page of its owner’s manual that users should be careful when lifting the Model 3. "Ensure that any non-Tesla repair facility is aware of these instructions, including lift points and warnings," it states. The manual recommends using lift arm (or “jack”) pads to prevent damage.

As Alexa’s brother said, Tesla does recommend lift arm pads to ensure that the lift doesn't damage the battery or side rails of the vehicle. “DO NOT lift from under the Battery or side rails. Place the lift arm pads under the designated body lift points only. The locations shown are the only approved lifting points for Model 3. Lifting at any other points can cause damage. Damage caused by incorrectly lifting Model 3 is not covered by the warranty,” the manual states.

@lowimpactfit My brother was so stressed watching this Tesla getting its tires changed without the correct Jackpads. He is not allowed to make social media posts so I am sharing on his behalf. #tesla #electriccar ♬ original sound - Alexa

Viewers disagree

The video has amassed 170,000 views as of Monday afternoon. In the comments section, some users said they lift the Model 3 with no issues. 

One user said, “I work at Tesla and I don’t use jack pads.”

A second user agreed. “You dont need jack pads if you know the right point,” they wrote.

Another user wrote, “Costco supplier has the jack pads available. Worked there from 2021-2023. But they don’t have the right ones for newer model 3 and y with smaller holes. Had to machine some myself.”

Someone else said, “They have jack points just like every other car just have to be careful not to place the jack too forward or else youll be lifting on the battery.”

One thing you don’t want to do is mess up your Tesla’s battery. A TikToker went viral earlier in the summer after sharing his experience on the car-sharing service Turo. The woman who rented his car not only drove the vehicle at excessive speeds but also ran the battery down to 0%, which can potentially damage the components.

The Daily Dot reached out to Alexa via TikTok comment and direct message for comment. We also reached out to Tesla via email as well as ro Costco via media contact form.

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The post ‘Don’t let them change your tires’: Woman warns against getting tires changed at Costco appeared first on The Daily Dot.

A DoorDash customer is promising to never again not tip her driver after doing so backfired in a big way.

TikTok user Kaitlyn (@whotfiskaitlynn) posted a video four days ago that has since racked up more than 700,000 views. In the video, she is walking outside with a bag of takeout food in her hand while lip-syncing to Frank Ocean’s “Nights.”

And in the text overlay, she wrote, “Never NOT tipping on doordash again…this was the first time i’ve not tipped and the doordasher left if so far away in a corner in the sun making me play hide and seek with my poke took me 20 minutes to find it and when i finally got to it the fish was cooked (i ordered raw salmon).”

In the video’s caption, Kaitlyn clarifies, “THE WAY I ALWAYS TIP BUT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I DIDNT.” In the comments section, users offered sympathy and advice for how Kaitlyn should move forward.

One user wrote, “Girl I would just file a complaint with DoorDash and get your money back!”

A second user said, “This is when i call doordash and suddenly i get my food for free.”

A third user said, “As someone that Dashes on the side for fun money, I just won’t accept the no tip orders. Lol. Doing something like this just to run the risk of losing the ability to deliver is silly.”

And another person wrote, “I hate this bcs i’m gonna tip in cash don’t be rude before i even get the chance to tip you.”

Someone else said, “Well yeah. DoorDash only offers something like $2 to deliver orders so you need to tip to entice someone into taking your order. When you don’t tip your food waits around for a long time&bad service.”

@whotfiskaitlynn THE WAY I ALWAYS TIP BUT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I DIDNT 😞 #doordash #tip #delivery #food #poke #fyp ♬ original sound - kaitlyn?!?!

Dashers get revenge on customers who don't tip

This is obviously not the first time a DoorDasher has sought revenge on a customer who didn’t tip. Back in January, a woman went viral after her DoorDasher left her a rude note for not leaving a tip. Except, the woman was actually planning on giving cash. Another woman sparked an outcry after admitting she once withheld straws from a customer who ordered nearly $1,000 in smoothies without tipping.

Late last year, DoorDash added a warning to customers not adding a tip that the decision could result in longer wait times. “Orders with no tip might take longer to get delivered — are you sure you want to continue?” the prompt reads.

The Daily Dot reached out to Kaitlyn TikTok comment for comment. We also reached out to DoorDash via email for comment.

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President Joe Biden announced today that he will drop out of the 2024 presidential race. The internet is already brimming with jokes and memes about his potential replacement, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Biden released a statement that said, in part, “Let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work.”

At this point, Harris appears to be the frontrunner to replace Biden as the nominee, having secured Biden's endorsement in his follow-up tweet. As it is prone to do, the internet immediately went to work meme-ifying the situation. It wasn't hard as, in this case, Harris is a person who so routinely produces viral content that the jokes almost wrote themselves.

One user imagined Harris celebrating the news in the style of Selina Meyer on the political satire Veep. “Kamala right now,” the user wrote.

Another user posted a popular video of Harris singing, “The Wheels on the Bus” nursery rhyme. They wrote, “Well…. As the saying in the White House goes.”

Someone else simply wrote, “Project coconut is a go."

This is a reference to the viral moment in which Harris said, “My mother used to---she would give us a hard time sometimes, and she would say to us, 'I don't know what's wrong with you young people. You think you just fell out of a coconut tree? You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you.'"

Comedian Ryan Long had posted a compilation of unhinged Harris moments accompanied by “Von Dutch” from Charlie XCX’s Brat album on July 3. “Why did I stay up till 3am making a von dutch coconut tree edit featuring kamala harris and why can’t i stop watching it on repeat,” Long wrote. 

After the news broke, Long quoted the post along with the following message: “Project coconut x brat summer is here.”

As prolific poster @jaboukie said, “Coconut heads up 1000.”

One user even invoked the spirit of Nicki Minaj. “BIDEN IS OUT!” @nasmarajs wrote. “MOTHER KAMALA…. IT’S YOUR TIME.” The post is accompanied by a video of Harris walking out on stage to Minaj's verse on "Boss Ass Bitch." 

Another user reminded people of another woman who once had presidential aspirations. Kris Wolfheart posted the Homelander reaction meme. “Hillary rn hearing 'Madame President Kamala Harris' in her head over and over," they wrote.

Update 3:16pm CT, Jul. 21, 2024:

Vice President Kamala Harris has released a statement on the president's decision to drop out of the race:

“I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,” she said in part.

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A woman uses Walmart’s Equate mouthwash as a hack to getting alcohol on her cruise ship. But this tactic—and her decision to reveal it on TikTok—left viewers torn.

TikTok user Bre (@breraven) posted a video recently from the desk of a cruise ship. In her hand is a bottle of Equate Fresh Breath Oral Rinse, which she holds up so you can see the bottle in the foreground and ocean in the background. Saxophonist Jonny Diggens plays in the background as she pours the liquid into the bottle cap.

In the text overlay, Bre writes, “You’re on a cruise. You finally got your bags delivered to your room. Your ‘mouthwash’ is still in there. You can finally begin your trip. Life’s good.”

Cruise packages are notoriously expensive and in some cases can be accompanied by some fine print. So it’s therefore unsurprising that numerous TikTokers have gone viral for posting hacks designed to help travelers sneak alcohol on board in their luggage. Like a couple who shared that they used water bottles to sneak liquor onto a Royal Carribean cruise.

Should you sneak alcohol aboard a cruise in mouthwash bottles?

Not everybody is able to get away with it, however. Last summer, a woman had her bag confiscated by cruise ship security after trying to board with a bottle of alcohol inside. Some people blamed TikTok for increased security checks on cruises. A cruise expert says you should never bring alcohol aboard, and instead check the rules about bringing a bottle of wine or champagne.

Bre’s video has amassed 1.1 million views as of Saturday. In the comments, users remain torn between admiring the hack and wanting Bre to keep the secret to herself so others can potentially use it. 

One user wrote, “& it comes with its own shot glass.”

A second user wrote, “Minty liquor. Yum lol. I did this once.. thought I cleaned it out so good. I was wrong now I know get the plain mouthwash.”

A third user wrote, “Works every time! But please delete it before they start checking.”

@breraven 😎 #cruise #cruisehack #cruisedrinks ♬ original sound - Jonny Diggens

Someone else wrote, “I promise the drink package is worth it!”

The Daily Dot reached out to Bre via email for comment.

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An expert explains why you may feel itchy after applying makeup—and how to prevent it from happening.

Board-certified optometrists Gurleen Dhanoa and Aysha Chaudhry run the TikTok account EYEsthetics (@eyestheticsofficial), where they often post content about their field.

In a video posted on Monday, Dhanoa stitches the video of another creator who asks why her face gets itchy after she applies makeup. “You’re going to be so grossed out by the answer I have for you,” Dhanoa says. “But I have a solution, too.”

What causes the itchiness?

Dhanoa says we all have tiny mites that live in our lash and eyebrow follicles. “Now, there’s a healthy amount that we need, but then when we’re applying makeup, we’re feeding them,” she says. “And then, so right after you apply makeup, they’re like, nam, nam, nam. You’re like, ‘Oh my god, it’s itchy.’”

Luckily, she says there’s a solution to this problem

“It’s such an annoying feeling because not only is it irritating, but you can’t even itch it like you want to. It’s going to ruin all the hard work you just did,” Dhanoa says. “So what you’re going to do is before you apply any of your skin care product, but after you’ve cleansed, you’re going to go in with an HOCL [hypochlorous acid] spray.”

According to Dhanoa, that will kill the bacteria on your face and your makeup brushes.

“And then at the end of the day, when you’re done taking all your makeup off, you’re gonna go [spray your face with HOCL] again. Go in with the spoolie; really comb through those lashes and eyebrows. And then start to notice that [the itch] is just going away,” she concludes.

The video has amassed 2.2 million views as of this writing. In the caption, Dhanoa writes, "Healthy amount of Mites aka demodex live in our hair follicles and in our skin. Avoid using expired makeup, dirty brushes, sponges and tools and use HOCL to keep them in check so they dont overpopulate.”

@eyestheticsofficial Healthy amount of Mites aka demodex live in our hair follicles and in our skin. Avoid using expired makeup, dirty brushes, sponges and tools and use HOCL to keep them in check so they dont overpopulate #creatorsearchinsights #makeuphack #skincare #hack #tip #itchymakeup #lashes #eyebrows #follicle #hair #cleanse #HOCL #hypochlorousacid #eyes #eyedoctor #optometrist #doctorsoftiktok ♬ original sound - EYEsthetics | Optometrists

According to the Cleveland Clinic, Dhanoa is correct. Demodex are face mites that live in the hair follicles of your face. “But Demodex can multiply too quickly in people who are immunocompromised or have other skin conditions. That causes an itchy, irritating condition called demodicosis,” the article states.

In the comments section, viewers cracked jokes and offered their thoughts on the video’s production quality.

One viewer wrote, “My face mites just watched this with me and now they’re scareddddd.”

A second viewer wrote, “That’s literally the scariest bedtime story I’ve ever heard … night.”

A third wrote, “The sound effects make this video 10x better.”

The Daily Dot reached out to EYEsthetics via TikTok comment and direct message for more information.

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The post ‘My eyes get SO watery after I apply makeup’: Expert explains why you may feel itchy after applying makeup—and how to prevent it appeared first on The Daily Dot.

An Airbnb host caught his guests lying about their reasons for booking his beachside property and posted a video about it on TikTok. But not every user is enthusiastic about how he uncovered the lie in the first place.

TikTok user Mortgage Fox (@themortgagefox) is a Airbnb host and mortgage lender based in Maryland. On Sunday, Fox posted a video about the “family” that booked his Airbnb and his suspicions about their dishonesty. It has since amassed more than 7.9 million views.

“Well, the ‘family’ that booked my rental Airbnb at the beach—they’re not a family,” Fox says in the video. “But, I checked the door locks this morning, and they were in and out of the property from midnight till 5am. Good for you. Sounds like you had a good time. I’m all about it. But we only rent to families.” He displays a screenshot of a smart lock log that shows the door opened and closed multiple times.

Fox says he’s not planning on calling or texting the renters about his suspicions. “So be it, they had to lie to get my place,” he says. “My place is really nice. They didn’t distract any of my neighbors—or my neighbors would’ve contacted me already.” That’s because Fox has some older neighbors in the area who are known to complain about noise or disturbances at the rental property.

But Fox is planning on doing something with this information. “Now that I know that they’re in and out of the property until 5am—that means they probably like to party,” Fox says. “Which means they’re probably going to really enjoy this free late check out that I’m going to offer them. You kind of have to know your guest.”

Fox says that he plans to offer the guests a two-hour late checkout for free. “Because I want that five-star review,” he says. “I want them to have a great time at their stay. Even though they lied to me. Not the end of the world. But now I’m going to use that lie to help get another five-star review.”

In the caption, Fox wrote, “If someone lies to you when they book your short-term rental, Airbnb, VRBO—make sure you use any information you find during their stay to help you get a five-star review. If you know they are family with young kids, maybe send them a Starbucks gift card since they’re up early early in the mornings. If you know they party all night, give them a free late check out. … But also make sure you ask for the five-star review if they enjoy their stay. Operating short-term rentals not set it and forget it. It’s not residual income. It is a full-time job. Do not start investing in short-term rentals hoping for easy money.”

@themortgagefox If someone lies to you when they book your short-term rental Airbnb VRBO make sure you use any information you find during their stay to help you get a five star review. If you know, they are family with young kids maybe send them a Starbucks gift card since they’re up early early in the mornings. If you know, they party all night give them a free late check out. If someone complains about dirty floors and you have to send your cleaning people back over there and they were not lying about the dirty floors to get a free stay maybe give them a free clean at the end and eat that money. But also make sure you ask for the five star review, if they enjoy their stay. Operating short term rentals not set it and forget it. It’s not residual income. It is a full-time job. Do not start investing in short term rentals hoping for easy money.#airbnb #landlord ♬ original sound - The Mortgage Fox

Viewers have concerns

In the comments section, some users asked for advice on short-term rental management. Others weren’t as enthusiastic about the means by which Fox secured this information.

One user wrote, “This reallyyyy makes me not wanna use airbnb at all.” Fox replied, “Why because hotels don’t have cameras?”

A second user said, “Why I stopped staying at air bnbs. Always felt “watched”. Too invasive.”

However, someone else wrote, “I think a camera on the front of the house and back of the house is reasonable. You want to know who’s in your home! Idk why everyone says they’re not staying in an Airbnb now.”

Fox responded, “Thank you so much. I have over 1000 positive reviews and it’s not because I’m not doing things the right way. These people don’t own anything.”

It appears from this Reddit post to r/Airbnb that most hosts use smart locks for convenience and other logistical reasons, and not necessarily to spy on their guests. It alleviates the need for a person to hand over the key, and makes it easier for the cleaning crew to enter the property between stays.

In another post from around the same time, a redditor asks if there’s a device that can actually detect more precisely how many people are staying in an Airbnb at one time. “I’m looking to book this Airbnb however I’m a little concerned about something in the rules that states: 'the unit is equipped with a device that shows how many people are in the property' and when I contacted the host to clarify what kind of device she said: 'the device is a smart home device that we purchased from Airbnb and it indicates the number of people in the home, it is not a camera or any sort of recording device'. Is this a thing? Or is she just trying to scare her guests into not having parties?” the user wrote.

In response, a user noted that there is a service called Party Squasher, which purports to be "the first guest occupancy counter for homes." It uses the home's router to count the number of mobile devices in and around the house. Another user pointed out the Party Squasher isn’t a recording device and, therefore, isn’t subject to Airbnb’s reporting requirements. 

The Daily Dot reached out to Mortgage Fox via TikTok comment and direct message for comment. We also reached out to Airbnb via email for comment.

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The post ‘That level of monitoring while hosting is terrifying’: Airbnb host catches renters in a lie, leaving viewers torn appeared first on The Daily Dot.