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These days, when privacy issues are becoming the most talked-about subject matter, no one can feel totally secure. This is especially true with hidden video cameras that have been reported all around vacation rentals, Airbnbs, and other private spaces.
Spotting a hidden cam stuck in an everyday object you’d never suspect, staring right at you, is a downright scary and violating thing to go through. But the best weapon against them is arming yourself with knowledge of where and what to look for, in order to feel a little safer.
Bored Panda compiled a list of cameras hidden in the most innocent-looking things and talked to Lina Survila, a global tech PR and chief editor at Abstract Stylist. Lina shared some useful tips on spotting hidden cameras and building self-awareness about your privacy in the interview below.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Found A Hidden Camera In Airbnb Disguised As A Charger
Just JoLynn 5 years ago
The police basically told her it was his house and he could do what he pleased, so no he wasn't fined.
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Andrew Gibb 5 years ago
I'd refuse to pay and take the device with me if no joy came from the Police
deanna woods 5 years ago
I don't care if it's his house or not, you don't put cameras in places where you have strangers staying. That is a complete violation of their privacy.
Mimi777 5 years ago
That’s so crazy that the cops couldn’t do anything. I mean I understand why cause it’s the AirBnb owner’s house, but there should be some kind of law against that. If someone is renting it out it they shouldn’t legally be allowed to place hidden cameras. Cameras should be clearly visible if there are any. (Like a door cam)
Spankathon 5 years ago
If you stay anywhere turn on your phones camera light, turn off all the room lights. Stand in the centre of the room and slowly do 360 degrees and look for any hidden camera lens reflections.
Myxomatosis 5 years ago
I'm supposed to be working right now, but as a former victim of stalking, I had to stop and comment - this is TERRIFYING!
RELATED:
#2
Hidden Spy Camera In A Screw Head
Mimi777 5 years ago
Woah!! That’s wild. Most of the other ones aren’t super difficult to spot but with this one no one would know. I wonder how they found it.
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
Maybe they didn't and these photos are part of the advertising for the damned thing.
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Jonny Dio 5 years ago
That's a fake. Tha image comes from wish.com https://www.wish.com/product/5a1637c6a1e1155afbb9ae60?hide_login_modal=true&from_ad=pinterest_web&_display_country_code=US&_force_currency_code=usd&pid=pinterest_int&c=%7BcampaignId%7D&ad_cid=5a1637c6a1e1155afbb9ae60&ad_cc=US&ad_curr=USD&ad_price=18.00&fallback_cids=5abf31392ef5511c92717a66&share=web
Amazon QT 5 years ago
I’m thinking this certain pinhole camera would work great inside of your vehicle. Recording while your not in it to see those that would attempt to steal your car. You can’t leave a visible camera bc the theft would take it. My hubby had his 93 delSol stolen, twice in a 2 week period, and this “screw camera” would’ve been a great way to know someone was stealing the first time.
#3
Photo Frame Camera
Mishte Tine 5 years ago
My immediate thought: I’m never leaving my house. Then I realized - I’m probably never leaving my house snyway. Then I thought- if I stayed in lodging with a hidden camera, whoever might view mactivities would be bored to tears - or death - or both. When I used to buy clothes, I’d always grab a easy to put on skirt for trying on pants. My uncle worked in retail clothing and said to assume you’re being surveilled because shoplifting is so out of control. I could care less about not having a shirt/bra on or not - but I guess I’m protective about my private areas. A slip on skirt does the trick. Might be useful to get/bring one if you travel a lot or sleep in places other than your own place.
In an interview with Bored Panda, the global tech PR Lina Survila said that with rising concerns on hidden cameras in Airbnbs, the cybersecurity industry is facing a big challenge in this grey area. “People's concerns about being watched in inappropriate situations may lead to new regulations.”
However, Lina said that until then, “there's not much that we can do when it comes to rentals.” The tech specialist suggests building self-awareness about the issue on your own. For example, “if you have a suspicion of being watched in private areas like the bedroom, bathroom, or any other areas (Airbnbs, hotels, etc.), look for hidden cameras first.”
#4
In "Oh, That's A Thing Now" News, A Colleague Of Mine Thought It Odd That There Was A Single "Motion Detector" In His Airbnb In The Bedroom And Voila, It's An Ip Camera Connected To The Web. (He Left At 3am, Reported, Host Is Suspended, Colleague Got Refund.)
Herb Coleman 5 years ago
Good check and smart thinking. Why would have a motion detector in the bedroom where there would likely be movement?
#5
Family Discovers Hidden Camera Livestreaming In Airbnb, Husband Was The Man Who Found The Stream
We just found a camera hidden in a smoke alarm case in the private living room of a listing. We were travelling with children.
The host admitted to the concealed camera over the phone, only after presented with our irrefutable proof.
deanna woods 5 years ago
Anyone who chooses to put up cameras like this is nothing more than a creep.
Amazon QT 4 years ago
Or just doesn’t want their stuff to get damaged, ruined, stolen, etc.
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Angelica Castillo 1 year ago
I would sue these ppl on the simple fact.. #1 They're aware that people coming to their place of business privacy be invaded by the owner like IT' S CHILDREN THERE FOR CHRIST SAKE CALL A LAWYER, bc someone is getting their little rocks off WATCHING CHILDREN AND WOMEN GET UNDRESSED THIS IS A CRIME CALLED " INVASION OF PRIVACY ALSO TAKING YOUR MONEY FOR A FEE, they have TOO BE PEDOPHILES!!!!!!!
Elise Williams 5 years ago
Some duct tape is a good thing to bring along from now on to use AFTER you document it and remove it before you leave.
#6
A Visitor Found An 'Air Freshener' Spy Camera In A Shopping Mall Bathroom In Russia
Lauren Caswell 5 years ago
That one isn't even a good attempt at hiding the camera really. Creepy as tho considering it's in a bathroom
Thera Peoples 5 years ago
Oh no i have one of those in the bathroom and always was scared if someone was watching me.
Mary Rose Kent 5 years ago
Superglue some glitter...much harder to remove.
Load More Replies...Lina said there are a couple of tactics to do so, like “turning off your light and looking for blinking small dots or searching for radiofrequency disturbances during calls.”
She also warned people to be aware that hidden cameras can be found attached or integrated into objects like chargers, lamps, frames, shelves, and mirrors. “Usually, if these cameras are not using wi-fi, you can find an SD card placed inside the camera.”
In case you spot a hidden camera, Lina recommends reporting the incident to your Airbnb, hotel, or other rental provider. “You may find many free apps that help you find hidden cameras, but when installing them, be careful not to give unnecessary permissions, which might lead to exposing all your information to a third party.”
#7
Found This Camera Disguised As A USB Charger In The Woman's Bathroom At The Starbucks I Work At. It Was Plugged In Directly Across From The Toilet. Please Keep An Eye Out!
bryguy 5 years ago
One of these were found at my office in the womens bathroom. Management ending up realizing it didn't have the micro SD card so it wasn't able to record anything, but never did find out who put it there. Office is not open to the public either, so it was someone here.
YupItsMe1234 5 years ago
Or the person removed the micro SD card because it was full :(
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Kevin Donegan 5 years ago
So, how does a USB charger plugged into an outlet in a public bathroom there for longer than about an hour? I'm surprised someone didn't take it.
Herb Coleman 5 years ago
Once again, who would leave a charger in a public bathroom? Good catch.
Sent From The Slytherin House 5 years ago
This is disgusting. These people that do this are so gross!
Peter Venkman 2 years ago
Well, we ALL KNOW that we need to charge our phones while pooping, so I wouldn’t have noticed it!
#8
Couple Found Camera Hidden Inside Clock At Rental Apartment
Little Wonder 5 years ago
They've taken the front plate off the clock, you can see how it would look normally in the top right, where it's reflective.
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Peter Venkman 2 years ago
I’m telling you, if I found all this c**p, I’d be taking it and putting it all up on eBay!
Chris Maddock 5 years ago
A very good chance that the LEDs are InfraRed LEDs so they can see you in the dark.
Vicki Perizzolo 5 years ago
looks like he took the cover off and there it was - it wasn't in plain sight
Herb Coleman 5 years ago
Since we all have cell phones, whenever you rent or stay in someone else's place just cover, the alarm clock.
Elise Williams 5 years ago
Some duct tape is a good thing to bring along from now on to use AFTER you document it and remove it before you leave.
#9
A Camera Hidden In A Fake Screw Head
Mimi777 5 years ago
Clever (and creepy) idea. No one would think to look in a screw head for a hidden camera. And the fact that some of these are hidden in a public bathroom or even changing room makes it even more crazy.
Shadow 5 years ago
I would as well. There have been several stories about this of the last few years. Most notably was the Forbes article from earlier this year... https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2020/01/27/why-you-should-start-screening-for-hidden-spy-cameras-when-you-travel/?sh=3dacbbc5afd8
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Sue Clifford 5 years ago
I really never gave this camera thing much thought but after ready and seeing all of these I am going to be looking for from now on. It’s a sad sad world we live.
Herb Coleman 5 years ago
I've never seen where on of these was installed. BTW, I have one that looks like a button.
#10
A Couple Who Rented A Home Through Airbnb Say They Were Horrified When They Spotted A Number Of Hidden Cameras Recording Their Every Move
Zophra 5 years ago
Some evil part of me who love to stage a satanic ritual in the house and give them something to look at.
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
If they feel the need to monitor their guests every move and possibly to have irrefutable proof of who stole the stuff that could get stolen, if that would happen, then why do they rent their places to strangers at all?
TimesNewLogan 5 years ago
So what I'm gathering from this, is to avoid Airbnb like the Plague?
Peter Venkman 2 years ago
It’s so big, it might as well have a boom microphone hanging from it! Lol!
#11
This Hidden Camera Disguised As A Clock In My Airbnb
Chris Maddock 5 years ago
Another one that most likely has InfraRed LEDs so they can see you in the dark.
Elise Williams 5 years ago
Some duct tape is a good thing to bring along from now on to use AFTER you document it and remove it before you leave.
#12
Camera Hidden In Pen Holder, With The Lens Seen In The Centre Of The Green Sticker
Monika Soffronow 5 years ago
Everything is perfectly obvious when you know what you are looking for...
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Melissa Powell 5 years ago
I would never suspect any of these. I don't look for them. This is just so creepy and ugly. Voyeur type behavior. I am sure when these are placed in an arbnb that the owner has an excuse for doing this. No excuse would be good enough for me.
Pippa Runs 5 years ago
I feel like I would be a victim to any of these! How do I protect myself?
Elise Williams 5 years ago
Some duct tape is a good thing to bring along from now on to use AFTER you document it and remove it before you leave.
#13
Tying Up Stuff In The Hospital Ceiling, Nice Spy Cam Mr. Data Guy...
Paula Swanson 5 years ago
The whole unit is fake. It should have a water line to it as it is suppose to be a fire sprinkler. But it is a fake one.
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cybermerlin2000 5 years ago
Not only does it violate everything involving privacy and decency to patient anonymity but if there was a fire safety inspection then it would not be noticed and if a fire started in that room everyone would be in danger
Marcellus the Third 5 years ago
Well it's a store room (where presumably stuff goes missing and culprit needs to be found) not a patients or staff room.
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#14
Hidden Camera Spy Cam Notebook
N S 5 years ago
click on that "buy now" button below the image to the right.
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Andrew Arroyo Kaiser 5 years ago
Looks like what you will find in a teenage spy series for kids.
Elise Williams 5 years ago
Some duct tape is a good thing to bring along from now on to use AFTER you document it and remove it before you leave.
Sue Clifford 5 years ago
We heard you the first time I think we all got it.
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#15
Water Bottle Hidden Camera
Kevin Donegan 5 years ago
Why didn't someone use the bottle of water? What, did they put a sticker price of $19.99 on the bottle of water if opened?
Oskar vanZandt 5 years ago
Looks like it may have been in some sort of meeting...
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Herb Coleman 5 years ago
This is always a bad idea. If I see a bottle of water, I'll either, drink, throw it away or put it in the fridge.
Bone_of_midfield 5 years ago
Woah. That’s devious. No-ones gonna use that bottle of water if they think it’s someone else’s.
Elise Williams 5 years ago
Some duct tape is a good thing to bring along from now on to use AFTER you document it and remove it before you leave.
#16
Be Careful When Purchasing An Airbnb
Lauren Caswell 5 years ago
And it's dirty as, did they install it in a dirty smoke alarm shell, or has it just been there a creepily long time
Marcellus the Third 5 years ago
They may have removed the actual smoke alarm (and be non-compliant). Priorities.
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Kristina Mitchell 5 years ago
Good thing there wasn't a fire! Too concerned with spying and apparently couldn't care less if their guest died from a fire bc the smoke alarm was fake 🤦♀️.
#17
A Micro Camera Hidden Inside An Electric Socket
yotebot animations 5 years ago
this whole thing would fall apart as soon as someone tried to plug 2 things in at once though, wouldnt it?
Andrew Arroyo Kaiser 5 years ago
What if it reads all your phone data and recives phone calls and text messages and reads your search history.
Elise Williams 5 years ago
Some duct tape is a good thing to bring along from now on to use AFTER you document it and remove it before you leave.
#18
Coffee Cup Lid Hidden Cam Dvr
Admiral_Turtle 5 years ago
Didn't Mark Rober use one of those in his "Stealing Baseball Signs" video?
RaroaRaroa 5 years ago
To take to a meeting with someone and record them admitting to something I would think. Obviously there is no need to throw it away.
Load More Replies... #19
WiFi Shampoo Hidden Spy Camera
Kent Fishburn 5 years ago
Without pointing out the lens or inner-workings, what's the point? It could be an apple growing on a tree next.
Marcellus the Third 5 years ago
DIY. Get a small cam, enough instructables on installing it, any brand bottle will do. I suppose those you can flip open to take a bit OR take off the whole top are best --- take whole top off, empty wash and dry, make sufficient hole to fiddle your waterproofed package through and glue to a side where you made the hole, refill with just enough not to throw away, put top back on, hide between fuller/more-upmarket bottles. Now victims will rarely try to use it, and if they do they won't notice as the small flip-open doesn't show your work, which will probably survive.
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Herb Coleman 5 years ago
Another bad idea depending on where it's stored. I guess it waterproof if it's in the shower but It's still likely to be picked up.
yotebot animations 5 years ago
you could hide it in a forest of better/more expensive soap bottles, and it probably wouldn't be found
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#20
Inside This Non-Functioning Smoke Detector Is A Hidden Night Vision Hd Camera And Dvr
Lauren Caswell 5 years ago
Replace the DVD with one of a black background white text message along the lines of "illegal files sized for investigation" scare the s**t out of them XD
Amazon QT 5 years ago
Don’t you mean “seized” ...but where are you getting a DVD from, it says DVR (digital video recording). 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
Load More Replies... Oskar vanZandt 5 years ago
The DVR is usually a separate unit which is the size of the last generation DVD players... would not fit in there. A cable runs to the DVR...
Amazon QT 5 years ago
Well these wouldn’t be on your personal home, they are taking about AirBNBs.
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Elise Williams 5 years ago
Some duct tape is a good thing to bring along from now on to use AFTER you document it and remove it before you leave.
#21
USB Flash Drive Hidden Camea
Elise Williams 5 years ago
Some duct tape is a good thing to bring along from now on to use AFTER you document it and remove it before you leave.
#22
Wall Clock Hidden Camera
Anne 5 years ago
the rim by the number 6 seems to have a circle, there maybe?
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Chris Maddock 5 years ago
It is at the bottom of the rim, under the "6". I've also seen cameras behind the minute marks - usually at the "0" or "30" positions.
Paulina De La Loza Espiritu 5 years ago
At my old school they would put a camera in the clocks at the very middle the good times
Myxomatosis 5 years ago
This is something that the old Time Warner now Spectrum/Charter Cable uses. When I worked for them in 1999 we all had to sign at time of employment, to being monitored by camera - obvious or not.
TimesNewLogan 5 years ago
Not a very good job at hiding it: no wall clock should ever jut out that much.
Elise Williams 5 years ago
Some duct tape is a good thing to bring along from now on to use AFTER you document it and remove it before you leave.
#23
Outlet Hidden Camera
LuckyPineapple 5 years ago
Imagine someone going to plug something into that and smashing the lens lol
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Falcon 5 years ago
This is f****d up. I can understand if the owner has security cameras for obvious reasons, but these are obviously there for perverted reasons.
Lola 5 years ago
There should NOT be any cameras on the inside of a rental for any reason.
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Mimi777 5 years ago
These are so disturbing. I’m telling myself I won’t ever stay in an AirBnB but these hidden cameras aren’t just there, they can be in hotels, public bathrooms, changing rooms, etc. and some seem near impossible to spot. Like the one in the screw. You wouldn’t think to check a screw for one or an outlet. I’m creeped out.
Marcellus the Third 5 years ago
You're forgetting offices, as well as your friends and relatives' houses. Things are cheap as chips nowadays...
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Valentin Iulian 5 years ago (edited)
Seeing as under screen smartphone cameras are just around the corner, this is just gonna get more creepy. Such as a digital photo frame with the camera under the display. As if my current trust issues weren't enough... For the first time in my life, guess I'll go vacationing in a tent. Since I'm too poor to afford an RV.
Marcellus the Third 5 years ago
This topic contains several AirBnB entries but most where not specified are other spaces --- shopping mall cubicles and dressing rooms, etc. So it's gotta be "tent holidays and amazon shopping for all".
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Elizabeth Stewart 5 years ago
We have cameras in and around our house — but they’re not hidden (if anything they’re kinda large and obvious) and we let house sitters etc. know. Plus they’re never in the bathrooms or bedrooms and we mostly use them to watch our cats.
Amazon QT 5 years ago
We do too, but ours face outside. We recently had all of our windows replace in our condo (along with the siding, roof and gutters) and when the workers had to come inside of our condo to install the windows and do the vapor barrier around the inside sills we couldn’t be in our place while they were working (bc of COVID-19) so we purchased 4 cameras and placed them in plan sight so they knew we were watching them AND recording them. Now they are facing outside to watch people when they are around our cars, our front and back porch areas. Mainly because we like to watch the birds come u to o the bird feeder and hummingbird feeder... but ours are OBVIOUSLY THERE TO BE SEEN!!
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Martha Meyer 5 years ago
It simply shouldn't be legal to sell hidden cameras. Some creeps will be tech savvy enough to build their own, but most of them are out of luck when they can't buy this crap.
Oskar vanZandt 5 years ago (edited)
Regardless if some of the examples are fake, the fact that there are people out there who get off spying on others is undisputed. Always a good idea to have a good look around a rented place... and remove any gadgets you don't use. Will definitely be scrutinising any unknown place I find myself in with an even more wary eye!
cassiushumanmother 5 years ago
I've seen worst in an air bnb: being woken up in the middle of the night by 3 armed policemen yelling in my room! YEAH! The excuse of the tenants: "it's just an appartment mistake, it happens all the time". Yeah sure. Just after they ask kindly to enslave me: staying for free next time if i teach english to the woman and a kid, take care of garbage, cook and clean their kitchen floor to ceiling before they repaint it (for a 20euros room). I'm pretty sure that the police wanted to find their criminal son. Air bnb with free heart attack and enslavement options, very rare in the market.
Falcon 5 years ago
This is f****d up. I can understand if the owner has security cameras for obvious reasons, but these are obviously there for perverted reasons.
Lola 5 years ago
There should NOT be any cameras on the inside of a rental for any reason.
Load More Replies... Mimi777 5 years ago
These are so disturbing. I’m telling myself I won’t ever stay in an AirBnB but these hidden cameras aren’t just there, they can be in hotels, public bathrooms, changing rooms, etc. and some seem near impossible to spot. Like the one in the screw. You wouldn’t think to check a screw for one or an outlet. I’m creeped out.
Marcellus the Third 5 years ago
You're forgetting offices, as well as your friends and relatives' houses. Things are cheap as chips nowadays...
Load More Replies... Valentin Iulian 5 years ago (edited)
Seeing as under screen smartphone cameras are just around the corner, this is just gonna get more creepy. Such as a digital photo frame with the camera under the display. As if my current trust issues weren't enough... For the first time in my life, guess I'll go vacationing in a tent. Since I'm too poor to afford an RV.
Marcellus the Third 5 years ago
This topic contains several AirBnB entries but most where not specified are other spaces --- shopping mall cubicles and dressing rooms, etc. So it's gotta be "tent holidays and amazon shopping for all".
Load More Replies... Elizabeth Stewart 5 years ago
We have cameras in and around our house — but they’re not hidden (if anything they’re kinda large and obvious) and we let house sitters etc. know. Plus they’re never in the bathrooms or bedrooms and we mostly use them to watch our cats.
Amazon QT 5 years ago
We do too, but ours face outside. We recently had all of our windows replace in our condo (along with the siding, roof and gutters) and when the workers had to come inside of our condo to install the windows and do the vapor barrier around the inside sills we couldn’t be in our place while they were working (bc of COVID-19) so we purchased 4 cameras and placed them in plan sight so they knew we were watching them AND recording them. Now they are facing outside to watch people when they are around our cars, our front and back porch areas. Mainly because we like to watch the birds come u to o the bird feeder and hummingbird feeder... but ours are OBVIOUSLY THERE TO BE SEEN!!
Load More Replies... Martha Meyer 5 years ago
It simply shouldn't be legal to sell hidden cameras. Some creeps will be tech savvy enough to build their own, but most of them are out of luck when they can't buy this crap.
Oskar vanZandt 5 years ago (edited)
Regardless if some of the examples are fake, the fact that there are people out there who get off spying on others is undisputed. Always a good idea to have a good look around a rented place... and remove any gadgets you don't use. Will definitely be scrutinising any unknown place I find myself in with an even more wary eye!
cassiushumanmother 5 years ago
I've seen worst in an air bnb: being woken up in the middle of the night by 3 armed policemen yelling in my room! YEAH! The excuse of the tenants: "it's just an appartment mistake, it happens all the time". Yeah sure. Just after they ask kindly to enslave me: staying for free next time if i teach english to the woman and a kid, take care of garbage, cook and clean their kitchen floor to ceiling before they repaint it (for a 20euros room). I'm pretty sure that the police wanted to find their criminal son. Air bnb with free heart attack and enslavement options, very rare in the market.
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