Have you ever found out the pinhole camera in your hotel rooms you ever lived? It’s still always shocking when there’s new cases of these situations happening, especially when the cameras are becoming more difficult to find.

On December 29th 2017, a man named Yang checked into a Hotel in Mianyang, Sichuan with his girlfriend. 

© Image | 成都商报

 

The next morning, he noticed that there was a pinhole camera aimed down at him from the ceiling of his room. After notifying the hotel staff, the police were called to investigate. As of now, the investigation is still ongoing.

Another similar case to this, happened last year in Guangdong. On Feburary 9th, Mr. Liu and his Fiancee arrived at a hotel in Zhanjiang.

© Image | 成都商报

While laying on the bed, Mr. Liu noticed a strange cigarette box sitting in the room. The camera was hidden in plain sight due to its stealthy design, and even the hotel owner had no idea what it was.

 

The point of both stories is that cameras can easily be hidden in plain sight and could be recording your every moment.

Most of us may feel that these situations may never happen to us, but in reality, the possibility is definitely there. #So, how can we avoid pinhole cameras and other similar devices?

 

Focus on these items

 in your hotel rooms

Air conditioning, emergency lighting, lampshades, ceilings, clocks, mirrors, smoke sensors, trash cans, vases, fragrances, murals, keyholes, sockets, TV stands. (The focus is on the equipment and furnishings facing the bed!)

© Image | 成都商报

 

Common Designs of 

Pinhole Cameras

 

How to identify the pinhole camera in your  hetel rooms?

 

Use your phone

Turn off the lights in your room, and close the curtains. Try to make the room completely dark. Next, turn on your phone’s camera and walk around the room with it. If your see any red dot flashing, there may be a painhole camera in your room (or another Infared device). Take a closer look.

Check the reflected light

When the room is dark, use a flashlight and check out dark parts of the room for any reflective material, as this may show that a camera lens is present.

Reduce the illumination

The illumination is reduced, and the ordinary wireless pinhole camera cannot record a clear picture, which is one of the easiest methods.

To avoid the entry of unknown people

In and out of public places, such as hotels, public locker rooms or public toilets, you should first check whether there are suspicious persons or improper items around. Pay attention to whether the door and window are closed.

Occlusion

Adjust to place or block items suspected of being installed with the camera.

Criminal penalty

 

According to the Chinese Public Security Administration Punishment Law, if you peek, sneak, eavesdrop or spread the privacy of others, you should be detained for less than 5 days or a fine of 500 yuan or less. If the circumstances are serious, you should be detained for 5 – 10 days, and you will be imposed a fine of 500 yuan or less.

According to Chinese Criminal Law, illegal use of wiretapping and photography equipment, causing serious consequences, is subject to fixed-term imprisonment, criminal detention or surveillance for two years.