‘Check the air freshener’ – how to detect a hidden camera in your holiday rental
Some of us run a finger along a hard surface to look for dust. Some of us jump on the bed, fully clothed. But you may want to run another check when you enter your room on holiday: is there a hidden camera, secretly filming your every move?
Cases of hidden cameras in holiday rentals are rare, but incidents do occur and appear to be on the rise. In recent years guests using holiday booking sites like Airbnb and Vrbo, and even those staying in rooms at recognised hotel chains, have claimed to have discovered hidden cameras pointing towards private areas in their rooms.
According to a new study by home security experts Vivint, one in 10 holiday rental hosts admitted to having hidden cameras or microphones in their properties. Understandably, some 86 per cent of the surveyed guests considered such surveillance to constitute a violation of their personal space.
So why is this happening, and how can you protect yourself from getting caught on camera during your next holiday?
They are smaller than you might think
Secret camera technology has advanced in recent decades. Kody Kinzi, security researcher at software company Varonis, says hidden cameras are getting smaller every year.
“Hidden cameras are small enough to be able to pack a Wi-Fi access chip the size of a postage stamp inside. While these used to be hidden in objects like stuffed animals and USB power blocks, they are now small enough to be discreetly put inside many types of objects – some I’ve seen include fire suppression sprinklers, LED light bulbs, and plug-in air fresheners.”
They are getting cheaper, too. Kinzi says that you can pick up a Wi-Fi camera that supports streaming, with features like facial recognition, for as little as US$5.
The tell-tale signs of a hidden camera in your room
So how do you spot a hidden camera? Kinzi says a good first step is to identify the private or interesting areas of a room, and to check if there are any suspicious electronic items nearby.
“If there are objects pointed squarely at doorways, changing areas, showers, or other private or interesting areas of a room, this can be a giveaway, especially if the object is plugged in,” he says.
“Any object like an alarm clock should be considered, as these don’t need to have batteries changed. Be cautious of a public area where batteries could be changed frequently and undetected. Also, other objects like air fresheners should be examined if they are pointing in an odd direction,” added Kinzi
How to detect a hidden camera using your phone
You can also try to detect a hidden camera by logging onto the Wi-Fi network, he says. “If you are on the same Wi-Fi network as the camera, like at a vacation rental home, you can often see the camera by scanning the network. If you are not connected to the network, seeing many IoT [Internet of Things] devices made by manufacturers like Espressif Systems (maker of the ESP32) is a sign there are potentially hidden cameras connected nearby.”
There are also devices you can buy
If you want even more reassurance, hidden camera detector devices are available for purchase online. Kinzi says: “Using a red LED hidden camera detector did a great job of identifying glass lenses on objects we identified as suspicious.” On Amazon, hidden camera detectors range in price from around £20 to £60.
What to do if you find a camera?
If you find a hidden camera in your rental, Airbnb suggests you contact the police first, and then report it to them after: “If you or someone else feels threatened or unsafe, please first contact local law enforcement authorities for assistance. Additionally, if you witness or experience behaviour that goes against our policies, please let us know.” Airbnb has a 24-hour safety line for urgent support.
Vrbo says: “Contact us immediately if you find a surveillance device which you believe violates our policy. This allows us to take the necessary steps to protect everyone’s privacy and comfort.”
While you may be tempted to do so, Kinzi stresses that you should not destroy the item. “Report it to the police, especially if it’s located in a sensitive area. Don’t destroy it – it’s possible to recover code from the device, which can help identify where it came from. Slapping some duct tape on it and putting it in a freezer should be fine, as this will rapidly drain the battery and possibly prevent a Wi-Fi connection.”
With more people aware of the problem, sometimes mistakes can be made. Kinzi gives a recent example. “A woman identified a suspicious fire sprinkler and many people were torn on whether it was a camera or not. It turned out the sprinkler simply had a glass element that looked like a lens, [but] I have seen real hidden cameras mounted in fire sprinklers available for sale online.
What are the platforms doing to avoid this problem?
Airbnb and Vrbo both ban hidden cameras in their properties. Airbnb does allow hosts to use security cameras in their properties “to help provide hosts and guests with peace and mind”, but they can only be used in certain areas and under certain conditions. They are allowed so long as they are clearly disclosed in the listing description, are not concealed, are only used in a public space (ie. not a bathroom) and “don’t infringe on another person’s privacy”. Cameras can be used in indoor common areas, so long as nobody is sleeping in that room.
A spokesperson for Vrbo said: “Surveillance devices capturing the inside of a property are never allowed in listings on the Vrbo platform, and we have a strict, long-standing policy against surveillance devices that violate the privacy and security of our guests. Outside a property, devices such as external security cameras or smart doorbells are only allowed under specific rules, and the host must always disclose their presence. Guests should contact our 24/7 customer service team if they find a surveillance device at a property that violates this policy.
“Although these occurrences are rare, our trust and safety team actively investigates any complaints about bad actors and takes action accordingly, including permanently removing any host in violation of our policies.”
