What are the chances of women being secretly recorded?

[ChristmasisinManchester]

It’s rare I go into a public toilet, or changing cubicle in a swimming pool without looking around for a hidden camera now. I sometimes wonder in hotels and rented properties if there is a camera.

I’ve never found one. Have I unknowingly looked straight at one? I think I must have done.

The news stories of men being caught, availability of small devices and my general distrust of men do get my brain thinking.

We find out about them rarely, but they are set up by men who use multiple cameras, for hours and hours of footage of women.

I do have anxiety and sometimes obsessive thinking. I do not think anyone is trying to record ME, I don’t think I’m under surveillance or of any interest to anyone.

I just wonder what the occurrence is of illegal voyeurism in our society and sometimes I wonder why more isn’t being done to do random checks etc.

if anyone can put my mind at rest, or join me in my new paranoia feel free!

Reading this back I’m afraid I look like a troll - just want to be clear that I’m genuine, feel free to report to MNHQ for confirmation etc.

Google these devices. There's so many, so readily available.

You don't sound like a troll.

I’m not sure what answer you’re looking for

The fact that you’ve read it back and think you sound like a troll shows you that you are overly anxious/paranoid about this. Why do you want to debate it? What is the AIBU?

I think the chances of you being recorded covertly by a hidden spy camera is minuscule to the point where it shouldn't even enter your head, unless you do see something suspicious.

You are however being openly recorded and tracked by tech companies on a daily basis I imagine, but I fear the genie is out of the bottle on that one.

I don’t think you’re unreasonable to be concerned about the risk, just don’t let it rule your life. I usually do a very quick sweep of hotel rooms and Airbnbs, and same with changing rooms, but I don’t usually bother with public toilets because all they’re going to capture is my “side butt” 😂

At one time I would have dismissed your fears as paranoia.
Nowadays, as you say, given the news stories where this type of thing is reported with what seems increasingly frequency, I think it's quite a normal thing to take into consideration.
But like you I would doubt my ability to actually spot such a device.

I don’t think you sound like a troll either. It’s a valid concern. I think that all you can do is use single sex facilities as much as possible, so the presence of a man would draw attention, keep an eye out & get in and out as quickly as possible. If you start obsessing over it, you’ll never use a loo outside of your home ever again.

Why do you think it's miniscule? Genuinely, do you have reason to be this confident, in which case I thinK OP could use some reassurance, or is it perhaps naivety

i absolutely don’t let it rule my life, and it’s not something I feel stressed about on a day to day basis.

if anyone caught me on their camera they’re not wanting the footage 😂

I suppose what I wonder, and why I started this thread is -

1. is this not a problem at all, in which case I’ll enjoy the conversation to put my mind at rest .
2. is it a problem? If so why don’t women have electronics available to find devices? Or, why there isn’t a more public check to find them.

If a newspaper or a tv show scrupulously checked out 100 ‘private’ places - would they find anything? Or would they uncover a scandal worth resolving?

I’d really enjoy a Panorama on this topic for example.

No you aren't being unreasonable.
Predatory men will use any means to access victims in order to fulfil their fetishes.

"Gender neutral" toilets in particular are perfect for predators. And of course now any man can enter women's bathrooms by saying he's a woman.

There are massive categories on porn sites about voyeurism in bathrooms and predatory men love anything that debases women.

Unfortunately the cameras are hard to find. Women shouldn't be complacent.
It just takes one man to distribute thousands of images among his pervert contacts.

www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/edinburgh-entertainer-filmed-children-dressing-30563166.amp

amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/sep/27/ex-councillor-jailed-voyeurism-hidden-cameras-west-yorkshire

www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/hull-man-set-up-secret-9220828.amp

www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/mum-traumatised-teen-who-found-34346272.amp

I watched a documentary about how rife this issue is in Japan and how much money is made from selling the footage online. Truly grim.

You can buy hidden camera detectors on Amazon. Might be something to think about, if it helps to feel more comfortable in public spaces.

Yes, the other day at work I noticed the ceiling hatch to an attic was slightly ajar in the loo. I couldn't see any red recording lights, still felt wary, but was desperate for the loo... Ho hum.

I’ll take a look thanks

Oh dear,

just found this pleasant UK based stat, of 500 men questions. Can’t see how they chose the sampling of 500 men.

kar.kent.ac.uk/82106/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

I watched a film about this a few years ago which was based on a true story and at the end of the film, they said that 1 million spy cameras were purchased EVERY DAY in the USA. They didnt state their source but it did make me think.

Men have died due to squeezing themselves into tiny spaces in order to commit voyeuristic acts, so at least if they're using a hidden camera no poor soul has to retrieve their corpse when it starts to stink.

I think it's best to just not think about it, but at the same time expect the powers that be to have laws to protect our privacy and to always prosecute when a crime is identified.

“Men have died due to squeezing themselves into tiny spaces in order to commit voyeuristic acts”

Oh no what a shame, never mind!

If Phillip Thompson, Teeside, wasn’t so stupid as to record his own face, he might well still be out there

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/phillip-thompson-secret-camera-toilet-30911446.amp

While no laws prohibit the use of CCTV in public toilets, guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office (IOC), says their use must be in line with the Data Protection Act.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgj5n9dzypjo

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-kent-26368148

Family member was a victim of this piece of shit, he had a camera set up in his GP office.

It's definitely a possibility. These things do happen and I've read a fair few stories. I too look around or wonder if there could be hidden cameras when in certain places.

You’re not being unreasonable. Madam Pelicots husband was only caught in all his horrible crimes because because he was caught trying to ‘up skirt’ film someone in a shopping centre. These people don’t just do one thing…

Exactly this . Same with indecent exposure. These are dangerous people. Sex offenders are sex offenders.