Many hidden cameras have been discovered in Vietnam, sparking public outrage and causing fears for victims as they were afraid that their sensitive images could be spread on social media.

Various kinds of candia cameras are put up for sale publicly.

When Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters searched for ‘hidden cameras’ or ‘disguised cameras’ on social media, many groups offering such products turned up.

The reporters contacted a camera store in Hanoi. An employee of the store introduced cameras under the disguise of many utensils, such as sockets, light bulbs, phone chargers, and pens.

The cameras in these items are small and hard to be detected. Users can connect the cameras to their phones and directly see the recorded images.

Their prices vary based on image quality and camouflage level, ranging from VND 1.2 million (US$47) to VND 1.6 million (US$62.4) each.

According to the employee, cameras hidden in light bulbs and sockets are the best-sellers.

The public sale of spy cameras has paved the way for evildoers to use recorded images and videos for illicit purposes.

Violating privacy

Vo Do Thang, director of Athena, a local cybersecurity training center, explained that people use invisible cameras for two main reasons: to indulge in their perverted hobbies or to make money by uploading the footage to foreign websites and embedding it in gambling and betting ads.

Regarding the consequences, Thang stated that these actions seriously violate the victims' privacy.

If the images are publicized on social media, victims may suffer from depression or even attempt suicide.

He advised that everyone should remain vigilant to protect themselves.

Upon arriving in new places, people should carefully inspect smoke detectors, light bulbs, TVs, and sockets.

If they find anything suspicious, they should leave immediately or report it to local authorities.

Thang also recommended bringing equipment to scan for spy cameras.

Stringent penalties

Lawyer Dang Van Cuong from the Hanoi Bar Association told Tuoi Tre that it is illegal to collect personal information and record or photograph others without their permission.

Those who install hidden cameras face fines of VND 3-30 million ($117-1,169) or criminal charges.

Recently, many disguised cameras have been found in hotels and boarding houses, causing public concern.

Pham Van Hoa, a National Assembly (NA) deputy and member of the NA Committee on Legal Affairs, criticized these actions, noting they represent a deviation and perversion in thinking and actions, as well as a violation of the law.

The online sale of such candid cameras is rampant, making it easy for people to buy and use them to illegally collect private information.

Hoa mentioned that Vietnam has regulations to punish violators. However, many spy cameras are only discovered after residents report them or victims' images are shared on social media.

Therefore, authorities need to continue imposing strict penalties on violators to prevent similar incidents.

Hoa suggested that local authorities and police should inspect motels and boarding houses, requiring their owners to be committed to not installing hidden cameras. Those who fail to comply should be held responsible and severely punished.

How to discover candid cameras?

Le Tran Ha, director of the technical service and warranty center at FPT Shop, a Vietnamese chain selling phones, laptops, and electronic products, said tiny cameras are flooding the local market.

They are placed in various items and there are many ways to detect them.

People can turn off lights and use the flashlight of their phones to scan suspicious areas.

It is important to check items such as clocks, photo frames, mirrors, books, and electronic devices.

Polarized glasses can help detect light from cameras, Ha noted.

There are apps to detect hidden cameras, including Hidden Camera Detector, Fing, and Glint Finder.

Checking devices connected to Wi-Fi is also a solution as invisible cameras often need the Internet for image and video transmission. 

Late last month, Vietnamese fashionista Chau Bui reported to the Ho Chi Minh City police department that she had discovered a hidden camera in a restroom of a local studio where she changed clothes.

She wrote on her Facebook page that the camera was secretly fitted in a watch covered with a towel at the corner of the restroom.

The suspect is a male employee of the studio who later admitted to having put the recording device there.

Several boarding houses in Hanoi have also been found to have discreetly placed cameras in rooms whose lessees are women.

In April this year, N., the owner of a boarding house in the Vietnamese capital city, was fined VND12.5 million ($487.4) for installing cameras in several bathrooms.

At the police station, N. admitted that in June 2023, he bought three hidden cameras online and planted them in the bathrooms of rooms rented by women to watch them bathing.

Police in Ha Dong District, Hanoi accused him of illegally collecting personal information.

On July 3, police in Cau Giay District, Hanoi announced they were investigating a case where the owner of a local boarding house was accused of secretly filming female students bathing.

Two girls had previously discovered a camera hidden in a socket facing their bathroom.

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