Hidden Cameras watching you ?
More and more of us take advantage of booking time away in Holiday Rentals, AirBnb’s, Hotels and Guest Houses.
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There is a dangerous reality bought to life through movies and media about people being video recorded whilst staying in these places. They're private lives being secretly recorded by individuals utilising modern covert technology.
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Blue Owl Projects aims to give the public some helpful advice and techniques to check your breaks away are your business only.
A simple coat hook housing a micro HD Camera
Bedside clocks
Cameras hidden inside bedside clocks can capture HD Video whilst functioning as a normal
smoke detector
Cameras and Motion Detection looking down on you from a typical Smoke Detector
wall clock
Cameras hidden inside a simple wall clock can give a high level view of a room
air freshener
Cameras hidden inside a room air freshener giving a directional camera into a room setting
Examples of standard room devices that have hidden cameras enclosed
A Wall Charger with a hidden camera
Why ?
Hidden Spy Cameras can be purchased by anyone online and easily setup to record high definition (HD) video. The recorded footage can be stored on internal micro SD cards or streamed by a Wifi connection to a remote storage device.
There are legitimate reasons to own and use these hidden cameras. To gather evidence against acts of crime, to catch a cheating spouse in the act or to protect family members against harm.
However in a rental property like an AirBnb or Hotel Room there is no place for this technology. It is there to simply spy on the occupants.
How ?
Most modern covert cameras will connect to a Wi-Fi source and give remote access to the user. These cameras will activate when they detect motion or the user activates recordings remotely.
Most of the cameras used will have the ability to record video in low light situations. To do this they utilise Infrared Technology.
Someone who intends to spy on you will generally aim to film you in locations like Bathrooms, Showers and Bedrooms
Micro Technology capturing HD Video
A Wall Charger with a hidden camera
Detecting these devices
Camera Technology is always getting better, however there is some common requirements for these devices that make them vulnerable to detection.
These devices require Lenses. These lenses reflect light sources and show a blue glass reflection.
Cameras that see in the dark use Infrared technology. These are a series of small concealed bulbs that the human eye cannot see when they are lit up.
We can however use technology to beat technology.
Make the room darker
Close the curtains, blinds and turn OFF any room lights.
Use a Torch
By shining a torch at potential camera devices you will highlight the lens. This will show as a blue reflection.
Use a Smart Phone
With the room still dark, use your Smart Phone Camera to detect Infrared Bulbs that the human eye cannot see. Try this first on a TV Remote control to see if your phone picks up a red light when a button is pressed. Your phone camera should pick up the red transmitter bulb. If your rear camera does not show the red bulb then try using your front facing camera.
Detect Un-recognised Wifi Networks
Most hidden cameras will connect to a Wifi network in order to send the video footage feeds back to the user. Search on your phone for Wifi networks and see if there are any that look suspicious. This could be a sign to look further for hidden cameras.
electric socket
clothes button
Wood cladding
desk lamp
Examples of other hidden camera technology to look out for
Room Motion Detection Alarm with a Concealed Camera
Report any findings on review sites so as to make others aware.
If it is an AirBnb property then notify AirBnb directly with your evidence.
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If it is a Hotel it could have been planted by other guests. Notify management as to your finding.
Summary
When you are away, ask yourself would someone benefit from illegally recording me ?
Most of the modern covert cameras will connect to a Wi-Fi source and give remote access to the user. Most cameras will activate when they detect motion or the user activated recordings remotely.
Most of the cameras used will have the ability to record video in low light situations. To do this they utilise Infrared Technology.
This can be a weakness that allows us to detect a hidden camera.
There are specialist camera detectors available to buy at little cost.
You can also use your smart phone as a detector.
If in doubt take a few minutes to check for these devices.
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If you locate a device, gather evidence by recording your own video of what you have found with details of the location and date. Approach the owner or manager only when you have evidence of the concealment.
Involve law enforcement if the camera is in a position to record you and not to protect assets.