Worried About Hidden Cameras? Detect Them Using These Simple Tricks – News18
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Worried about hidden cameras in your hotel room? Take a look at these simple tips on how you can detect them easily.
Inspect vents, smoke detectors, and light fixtures for hidden cameras.
Hotels are meant to offer comfort and security, but concerns over covert surveillance have made travellers increasingly wary. While reputable hotels adhere to strict privacy policies, there have been instances where guests have discovered hidden cameras in their rooms. If you’ve ever worried about personal videos being leaked from hotel stays, you’re not alone.
Though rare, hidden cameras in hotels do exist. Several surveys suggest that nearly one in four travellers have encountered a concealed camera in a rental property. While major hotels enforce strict rules against unauthorized surveillance, occasional cases have emerged where dishonest staff members have secretly installed cameras in private spaces.
If you travel frequently, ensuring your privacy in hotel rooms is essential. While hidden cameras are rare, they do exist, and knowing how to detect them can offer peace of mind. The best part? You don’t need any special gadgets—your smartphone can do the job.
Where to Look for Hidden Cameras in a Hotel Room?
Bathroom & Changing Areas
Inspect vents, smoke detectors, and light fixtures for unusual holes or wires. Check behind mirrors using the “finger test”. Look inside toiletries, tissue boxes, or towel racks for any hidden devices.
Electronic Gadgets & Fixtures
Examine USB chargers, power strips, and adapters for tiny camera lenses. Check TV screens, speakers, and air purifiers, as some devices can house hidden cameras. Turn off all lights and use your phone’s flashlight to spot reflective surfaces where a camera lens might be hidden.
General Areas
Examine ceiling corners where small cameras might be placed. Inspect electrical outlets and light switches for unusual modifications. Check air vents, wall clocks, and TV units for hidden lenses.
Easy Ways to Detect Hidden Cameras in a Hotel Room
If you’re worried about covert cameras, here are some simple methods to uncover them using just your smartphone and basic tools.
1. Turn off the lights and look for infrared lights.
Many hidden cameras use infrared (IR) technology, which is invisible to the naked eye but can be detected in complete darkness. Turn off all the lights and close the curtains. Open your phone’s camera app and slowly scan the room. If you notice tiny red, green, or blinking lights, it could be a hidden camera. Tip: Some older iPhones can’t detect infrared, so try using the front camera instead.
2. Download a Hidden Camera Detection App
There are mobile apps designed to scan for radio frequencies (RF) emitted by wireless cameras. Try apps like Hidden Camera Detector (iOS), Glint Finder (Android), or Fing Network Scanner. Walk around the room while using the app—it will detect unusual signals from hidden devices. If the app alerts you to an unknown RF signal, investigate further.
3. Use Your Phone’s Flashlight to Find Reflections
Hidden camera lenses tend to reflect light, making them easier to detect with a simple flashlight test. Shine your phone’s flashlight on objects like smoke detectors, alarm clocks, or picture frames. Watch for unusual reflections—a small glint could indicate a camera lens.
Pay close attention to air vents, power outlets, and TV units.
4. Make a Phone Call & Listen for Interference
Wireless cameras emit radio signals that can disrupt phone calls. Call someone and slowly move around the room while talking. If you notice crackling, buzzing, or static noises in specific areas, there might be a wireless camera nearby. Try this test near mirrors, power outlets, or electronic devices.
5. Scan the Hotel Wi-Fi for Suspicious Devices
Many spy cameras are connected to the internet, allowing them to stream or record footage. Connect to the hotel Wi-Fi and open a network scanning app like Fing or Network Scanner. Check for unknown devices labeled as “IP Camera” or “Webcam.” Turn off the Wi-Fi and see if a suspicious device disappears—this could indicate a hidden camera.
6. Check for Two-Way Mirrors Using the Fingernail Test
Some hidden cameras are placed behind two-way mirrors, making them hard to spot. Place your fingernail against the mirror. If there’s a gap between your nail and its reflection, the mirror is normal. If no gap appears, it could be a two-way mirror, and you should inspect further.
- Location :
Delhi, India, India
