We've heard of hidden cameras on planes but what about in hotel rooms? We know that hotel rooms can be dirty and yet we don't tend to think about a camera watching our every move while we're getting settled, watching TV, or sleeping. Yup, that's definitely creepy to think about...
According to CNBC.com, if you locate a camera, you're going to want to let the employees of the hotel know. You also want to tell Airbnb if that's where you're staying so everyone is aware of what's going on.
If you suspect there's a camera in your hotel room, there are definitely some things that you can do. Read on to find out what to look for.
You Want To Look At Objects And Be Careful Near The Desk
The objects in your hotel room could be hiding a camera. Expert Randy Andrews, who started Logan Security Consulting, told Forbes.com, "The potential threat comes from individual bad actors — hotel employees, contractors or guests — who may have access to the room." Andrews said that if there's a "tiny black dot" in the smoke detector that means that the lens of a camera is hidden there. It's also smart to look at the alarm clocks because there could be an "SD card slot" which means there is a digital camera hidden there.
How else can you check for a camera in your hotel room? You want to see if anything looks weird in the hotel room. Rd.com describes this as "a lamp that's been placed in an unusual location and appears to be specifically angled toward the bed." You also want to put something over the door's peephole because the last thing that anyone wants is someone being able to spy on them that way.
Finally, you want to be careful near the desk area. According to Smarter Travel, a lot of cameras are tiny and you could find them in outlets on the wall. The website explains, "Areas where computer screens are going to be visible are especially sought after, as the camera may capture login passwords, bank account information, personal browsing habits, and all sorts of other valuable information." Maybe don't use your laptop on the desk if you think that there's a camera there.
You Can Avoid Being Filmed With These Tips
There are some ways that you can avoid being filmed. According to USA Today, it's a good idea to put a towel or something like that over a radio or alarm clock. That way, if there's a camera inside those things but you can't see it, at least you won't be filmed. You could also move them around so they're facing the wall and not you. Rd.com also suggests pulling the plug for the alarm clock out of the wall entirely, which is a good idea. After all, you can use your phone as your alarm clock and to see the time, right?
While it's unnerving to think about a camera in your hotel room, these tips should help you discover the places where it could be. While you can ask to be moved to another room, maybe there are cameras in those rooms as well, so the best thing to do could be covering up areas so you aren't filmed during your stay. Better safe than sorry, right?