"Privacy Is Nonexistent." This Woman's Warning About Hidden Cameras Went Super Viral, And It's A Message That Every Woman Needs To Hear

Jennifer Moxley (@asksunshinemedia), a videographer and communications strategist, recently went viral for revealing a "concerning" reality that captured the attention of over 2.5 million people on TikTok — and it might just change how you approach safety next time you're traveling.

@asksunshinemedia / Via tiktok.com

In the video, Jennifer gives a message to women to be aware of being unknowingly recorded through hidden surveillance, especially when staying at someone's house or renting a property through a platform like Airbnb.

She writes in the caption: "Ladies share with your friends so they can also be aware of how small and hidden cameras are, along with how high quality the video is. Be safe out there."

"This is a camera," she begins, holding up what looks like a nondescript USB charger, "and someone can plug this into any socket and record color video at 1080 p with audio."

Jennifer adds that the product is "illegally recording audio," based on its instruction manual and Amazon policies.

She demonstrates how clearly the tiny camera can pick up video and sound by recording herself at home and then playing the clip on her laptop.

In the recording, when she moves into another part of the room, the device even adjusts the lighting to get a better view. "It basically can capture my whole house," she says.

The camera is set up by being plugged into an outlet — again, like any ordinary charger — and there are some clear concerns to think about. As Jennifer reveals, "Because this plugs into the wall, the camera battery will never die. And evidently, it records on a loop, so it will just record over its own memory card again. So essentially, it doesn't run out of space."

"Yet another reason why we should not be going into men's homes. And double-check your Airbnbs."

Of course, in the age of Ring cameras and smart home tech, surveillance can be helpful tools to keep you and your property safe, but as people highlighted their concerns in the comments, this type of technology can be — and has been — abused by others.

One commenter wrote: "I often think about how you can literally be recorded EVERYWHERE. I live in a small town, having a conversation on a stroll could get recorded walking past anyone's house. Privacy is nonexistent."

Some women expressed how they've had creepy men use hidden cameras on them and others they know. For example, this commenter shared how her stepfather hid a camera in her sister's bedroom.

These commenters discovered that their exes were using hidden cameras. This person wrote: "My ex knew everything I said in my house. He knew which room I was in, while he was across the country. I never found the devices but he had them everywhere!"

Another one wrote: "I found this in my ex's house while I was moving out. I took it apart and left it sitting on the table so he knew I knew."

BuzzFeed reached out to Jennifer, who shared that she had "an uncomfortable experience" with a maintenance man in her home, which led to her getting the hidden camera for security. "A family member who has a military background got me a Ring camera and then asked if I wanted a hidden camera in a USB charger," she said. "As a videographer who once carried a 15-pound camera for work and saw the evolution of HD to 4K, I was curious about the quality of the hidden tiny camera."

After being surprised by the high-quality video that the tiny camera could capture, Jennifer considered the safety risk this could pose — especially for women. "As women, we all know the potential for men to secretly film private situations is there. Think back to Mariah Carey's song 'Touch My Body' from 2008, where she references the concept of a man secretly filming."

Jennifer is the owner of Sunshine Media Network and runs the nonprofit She Dreams In Color Foundation, which focuses on women's health. Over the years, she's faced numerous work experiences of women being filmed without their consent. "I was a news reporter for many years and covered many, many stories of men secretly recording intimate moments both in homes and in public spaces."

"I've volunteered with and done video projects with human trafficking survivors from around the world, and I take educating others about potential harms to look for very seriously."

Despite the critical warning Jennifer gave online, there has been some pushback. "There's always a handful of men who are offended a woman would suggest that women are in danger of men with nefarious motives. To that, I say, statistics of gender-based violence support anyone's prioritized attention to preventing harm caused by men," she said. "And with any PSA type of video, there are people who believe sharing the information to protect others only informs those with malicious intent of the possibility. Personally, I would rather know what could potentially happen so I can better protect myself."

Based on her experiences and knowledge, Jennifer has taken her own safety precautions regarding travel: "I stopped staying in rental home properties and went back to booking hotels because there seemed to be an increase in stories of secret peeping and devices and other unsettling experiences."

To learn more about identifying hidden cameras and staying safe while traveling, we contacted security expert Joe LaSorsa, CEO of LaSorsa & Associates, specializing in executive protection, security consulting, and technical surveillance countermeasures (TSCM).

Similar to the charger Jennifer showed in her video, these devices are often "disguised as everyday objects," Joe says. "Hidden cameras are typically positioned to capture high-traffic areas, entryways, etc., and you should also consider what the camera's operator is intending to see or record, as they will place it where it can get the best view of that area."

So, next time you're staying somewhere new and want to keep your safety in mind, here are Joe's recommended steps to spot a hidden camera in an indoor space, like a home or Airbnb:

1) "Physical inspection — look for devices that have a power source as they are the most likely items to have a hidden camera. Look for objects like smoke detectors, clocks, air purifiers, USB chargers, etc. Inspect the object, looking for anything unusual like a QR code on it or a USB port — something that the device would not normally have."

2) "Check for small lenses — Shine a flashlight around the room; camera lenses often reflect light, making them easier to spot."

3) "Turn off the lights — Many cameras have infrared (IR) LEDs for night vision, which can emit a faint red or green glow in dark conditions."

4) "Scan the Wi-Fi network — Use network scanning apps like Fing or Net Analyzer to detect unknown connected devices. Keep in mind that wired cameras won't appear on Wi-Fi."

5) "Use a detection device — RF detectors or lens finders can help detect wireless signals or help identify camera lenses."

And if you do find a hidden camera, here's what you should do, according to Joe:

1) "Document the camera — Take photos or videos of the device, its placement, and any suspicious wiring or components."

2) "Do not destroy it – Avoid removing or destroying the camera; it is someone else's property."

3) "Unplug it — One of the best things to do is simply unplug and/or cover it."

4) "Report to the authorities — Contact the rental platform (e.g., Airbnb) to file a complaint and follow their guidance."

Joe added that it's important to know your rights and what's not allowed regarding security on the property you're staying. "In most places, hidden cameras are illegal in private areas like bedrooms and bathrooms, and now, large providers of rental properties (like Airbnb) are prohibiting indoor cameras."

"Assume some level of surveillance. Smart home tech (like doorbells, thermostats, and speakers) is so common, and you would want some basic surveillance (within regulations) of your property. Understand that the nature of renting someone else's property comes with some level of surveillance. So, understand this, and try to enjoy your stay!"

Ultimately, Jennifer hopes her PSA will raise awareness about how these hidden surveillance devices are more accessible than ever, encouraging people to take the necessary precautions.

"I'm in my late 40s now and was in a lot of scary situations in my 20s and 30s because I didn't have access to social media and stories of others of what red flags look like, what boundaries are okay to hold on to, and how truly 'good men' behave and respond when you exercise requests for your personal safety," she said.

"Social media has been a great source of learning from those who've been there that we may not have in our day-to-day life."

"If something feels off, we should trust our intuition. ... I do hope women continue to heed the stories of other women's lived experiences."

To keep up with Jennifer and her work, you can check out her TikTok, Instagram, and nonprofit, She Dreams In Color here.