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Rise in hidden cameras raises concerns after incident in fashionista toilet

On Tuesday, police in HCMC said a man had placed a camera disguised as a watch in the toilet of a studio in District 3 where Chau Bui was staying. They discovered the device purely by chance and upon closer inspection, several recordings of her were found in the device.

A Facebook post by Chau Bui on Tuesday about the incident received over 180,000 reactions, 26,000 comments and 42,000 shares in one day.

Hoai Thu, 28, from Hanoi, said she had a similar experience two years ago. She and her friend were staying in a private accommodation on the outskirts of Hanoi. The friend discovered a hidden camera, as small as a button, hidden behind an electrical outlet by pure chance. The owner of the private accommodation said someone had probably posed as a guest to install the hidden camera there.

Since then, every time Thu arrives at a new place, she spends about 15 minutes double-checking electrical outlets, fire alarms, mirrors and Wi-Fi routers.

“I don’t know when my obsession will end,” she said.

Hoai Thuong, 26, from Da Nang was also worried after her boyfriend discovered several videos recorded in the dressing room of a store where she frequently shops and uploaded them to a Telegram group.

“No one is sure whether they are victims of secret recordings,” Thuong said.

While hidden cameras are nothing new, the issue has become more prominent since the Chau Bui incident. As people prepare for summer vacations with their friends and families, some have turned to technology forums to learn how to spot hidden cameras.

Nguyen Manh Tien, a technology expert, said hidden recording devices can have many shapes and functions, but mostly originate from China. They are usually small and difficult to detect with the naked eye. They are often attached to common objects in a room, such as sockets, switches or even movable objects such as clocks, glasses and pens.

Some hidden cameras can be accessed remotely. Others can only store data for about a week. Others are designed like modules that anyone can install in household appliances.

People also wanted to buy devices that detect hidden cameras, mostly using infrared waves. They cost 100,000 to 200,000 VND ($3.93 to $7.85). However, some people reported that they can only be used from a short distance.

Tien said you can also use your smartphone to search for hidden recording devices. After turning off the lights in a room, you can use the phone’s camera to scan the area and find spots of light that may be a sign of a hidden recording device.