Some of us run our fingers across a hard surface to look for dust. Some of us jump into bed fully clothed. But when you enter your room on vacation, you may want to double-check: Is there a hidden camera secretly recording your every move?
Incidents of hidden cameras in vacation rentals are rare, but incidents are occurring and appear to be on the rise. In recent years, guests using holiday booking sites such as Airbnb and Vrbo, and even those staying in rooms at well-known hotel chains, have claimed to have discovered hidden cameras showing private areas in their rooms.
One in 10 holiday rental homeowners admit to having a hidden camera or microphone in their property, according to new research from home security experts Vivint. Understandably, nearly 86 percent of guests surveyed felt such surveillance amounted to an invasion of their personal space.
So why does this happen and how can you protect yourself from being caught on camera on your next holiday?
They’re smaller than you think
Hidden camera technology has improved a lot in recent years. Kody Kinzi, a security researcher at software company Varonis, says hidden cameras are getting smaller every year.
“Hidden cameras are small enough to fit a postage stamp-sized Wi-Fi access chip inside. While they used to be hidden inside objects like stuffed animals and USB power blocks, they’re now small enough to be discreetly embedded inside many types of objects; some I’ve seen include fire suppression They have sprinklers, LED bulbs and plug-in air fresheners.”
They are also getting cheaper. Kinzi says you can get a streaming-supporting Wi-Fi camera with features like facial recognition for as little as $5.
Signs of a hidden camera in your room
So how do you detect a hidden camera? Kinzi says a good first step is to identify special or interesting areas of a room and check for suspicious electronic items nearby.
“If there are objects marked in plain sight in doorways, locker areas, showers, or other private or interesting areas of the room, this could be a give-away, especially if the object is plugged in,” he says.
“Any object such as an alarm clock should be considered because its batteries do not need to be changed. Be careful in public areas where batteries may be changed frequently and unnoticed. “It should also be examined to see if other objects, such as air fresheners, are pointing in a strange direction,” added Kinzi.
How to detect a hidden camera using your phone
It also says that you can try to detect a hidden camera by logging into the Wi-Fi network. “If you’re on the same Wi-Fi network as the camera, say in a rental house, you can usually see the camera by scanning the network. If you’re not connected to the network, you’ll see a lot of IoT [Internet of Things] Devices made by manufacturers such as Espressif Systems (manufacturer of the ESP32) are a sign that potentially hidden cameras are connected nearby.”
There are also devices you can buy
If you want even more assurance, hidden camera detector devices can be purchased online. “Using a red LED hidden camera detector did a great job of detecting glass lenses on objects we identified as suspicious,” says Kinzi. On Amazon, hidden camera detectors range in price from £20 to £60.
What should you do if you find a camera?
If you find a hidden camera in your rental, Airbnb recommends that you first contact and then report it to the police: “If you or anyone else feels threatened or unsafe, please first contact local law enforcement for assistance. Additionally, if you witness or witness behavior that violates our policies, If you encounter any behavior, please let us know.” Airbnb has a 24-hour security line for emergency support.
Vrbo says: “If you find a surveillance device that you believe violates our policy, contact us immediately. This allows us to take the necessary steps to protect everyone’s privacy and comfort.”
Although it may be tempting to do so, Kinzi emphasizes that you should not destroy the item. “If it is located in a particularly sensitive area, report it to the police. Do not destroy it; it is possible to recover the code from the device; This can help you identify where the code is coming from. “It’s okay to put some duct tape on it and put it in the freezer, as this will drain the battery quickly and possibly block the Wi-Fi connection.”
As more people become aware of the problem, sometimes mistakes can be made. Kinzi provides a recent example. “A woman spotted a suspicious fire suppression system and many were unsure whether it was a camera or not. It turns out that the fountain has a glass element that resembles a lens. [but] I have seen actual hidden cameras mounted on fire suppression systems offered for sale online.
What are platforms doing to prevent this problem?
Airbnb and Vrbo ban hidden cameras in their properties. Airbnb allows hosts to use security cameras on their properties “to help provide peace of mind and convenience to hosts and guests,” but these cameras can only be used in certain areas and under certain conditions. These are allowed as long as it is clearly stated in the listing description, not concealed, used only in public (i.e. not the bathroom) and does not “invade another person’s privacy.” Cameras can be used in enclosed common areas as long as no one is sleeping in the room.
A spokesperson for Vrbo said: “Surveillance devices that record the interior of a property are never permitted to be used in recordings on the Vrbo platform, and we have a strict and long-standing policy against surveillance devices that invade the privacy and security of our guests. “Surveillance devices that record the interior of a property are never permitted to be used in recordings on the Vrbo platform, and we have a strict and long-standing policy against surveillance devices that invade the privacy and security of our guests. Devices such as smart doorbells are only allowed under certain rules, and the host must always disclose their presence. If guests find a surveillance device at a property that violates this policy, they should contact our 24/7 customer service team.
“Although these incidents are rare, our trust and security team actively investigates any complaints about bad actors and takes appropriate action, including the permanent removal of any host that violates our policies.”