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While most hotels operate on a good faith basis, there have been recent instances where hidden cameras have been found in budget hotels. Your best detective tool in such situations is the good old smartphone
Many apps for Android and iOS devices are designed to detect hidden cameras. (News18 Hindi)
Many of you may already be planning your next travel adventure, hoping to beat the summer rush with early bookings at off-season prices. As you cross visas, flight tickets and hotel bookings off your checklist, remember to add one more item for when you ultimately arrive at the hotel room on your holiday – check for hidden cameras.
While most hotels operate on a good faith basis, there have been recent instances where hidden cameras have been found in budget hotels. Your best detective tool in such situations is the good old smartphone.
How To Detect Hidden Cameras With Your Smartphone?
- Use your smartphone’s flashlight: You can identify hidden cameras using your phone’s flashlight. Cameras, no matter how well hidden, have lenses that reflect light. So, if the flashlight is reflecting from somewhere, there may be hidden cameras there. Turn off the lights in your room and shine your smartphone’s flashlight on places where cameras may be hidden, such as air vents, smoke detectors, alarm clocks or mirrors. If you see a lens-like surface anywhere, look at it closely.
- Use camera-detection apps: Many apps for Android and iOS devices are designed to detect hidden cameras. For this, these apps use the phone’s camera and sensors to identify hidden devices. These apps scan infrared light, magnetic fields and unusual signals to help detect hidden cameras. Simply download one of these apps, follow the instructions and use it to check for suspicious objects or areas.
- Check Wi-Fi networks for hidden cameras: Many wireless hidden cameras connect to Wi-Fi networks to transmit footage. By scanning your hotel’s Wi-Fi network, you can identify unknown devices. Open your phone’s Wi-Fi settings and look at the list of connected devices. Be cautious if you see a device with a different name, such as a number or symbol or starts with a generic label like ‘IP Camera’ or ‘Camera’. Similarly, you can use Bluetooth to scan for connected devices in the room. If you find a suspicious device, report it to the hotel management or local police.
- Detect infrared lights using your smartphone camera: Most hidden cameras emit infrared (IR) light, which humans cannot see with their eyes. But, they can be detected using a smartphone camera. To find the infrared source, dim or turn off the lights in the room. Open your smartphone’s camera app (some phones may need to switch to the front camera). Slowly move the camera around areas where cameras are likely to be hidden. Look for small dots or flashes on the camera’s screen. These infrared lights indicate the presence of a hidden camera. If you see this, check the place thoroughly.
