Smoke Detectors May Also Hide 'Pinholes': How to Use Your Phone to Prevent Covert Filming Indoors
A hidden camera was discovered in a smoke detector at a beauty clinic in New Taipei City, prompting a police investigation. Due to their small size, pinhole cameras are easily concealed. The article recommends using a mobile phone's flashlight function to check surroundings in places like hotels and changing rooms to prevent covert filming.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 4, 2026 at 17:58
- 🔍 Collected: May 4, 2026 at 18:31 (33 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 4, 2026 at 19:07 (35 min after Collected)
The post published by the netizen involved attracted much attention. A firefighter judged based on photos and videos, "This is 100% a camera. Smoke detectors are 100% not installed in corners, as their response speed would be slower." Another netizen posted an image of a "disguised smoke detector camera" from an e-commerce website, questioning, "Why is it so easy to purchase such things?"
Thorough inspection is crucial to prevent covert filming by indoor "pinholes." The Garden of Hope Foundation once reminded that in addition to paying attention to unusual holes in the surroundings, one should also be aware of "unreasonable" items in the environment, such as suddenly appearing photo frames.
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency website, 4th) A suspected covert filming incident involving a pinhole camera hidden in a smoke detector on the ceiling of a treatment room at a chain beauty clinic in New Taipei City has emerged, and the police have intervened in the investigation. Pinhole cameras are small and easy to conceal, often used by unscrupulous individuals to pry into others' privacy. It is recommended that when entering places like hotel rooms or changing rooms for the first time, people use their phone's flashlight function to check the surroundings for possible pinhole lenses.
A netizen revealed on Threads that after changing clothes in a private treatment room at a beauty clinic in New Taipei City, she found what appeared to be a pinhole camera hidden in the smoke detector on the ceiling and reported it to the police. After police arrived and inspected, they confirmed that the device was a fake detector with a camera hidden inside. As it could not be confirmed whether the camera was operating and no one from the clinic came forward to explain, the police launched an investigation for obstruction of privacy.
The post published by the netizen involved attracted much attention. A firefighter judged based on photos and videos, "This is 100% a camera. Smoke detectors are 100% not installed in corners, as their response speed would be slower." Another netizen posted an image of a "disguised smoke detector camera" from an e-commerce website, questioning, "Why is it so easy to purchase such things?"
According to police public awareness materials, places where pinhole cameras might be hidden indoors include power outlets, bathroom mirrors, fire detectors, light fixtures, ceilings, keyholes, air conditioning vents, and on top of wardrobes. When staying overnight, special attention should be paid to hair dryers, emergency lights, lampshades, ceilings, clocks, makeup mirrors, air conditioning vents, vases, air fresheners, murals, keyholes, power outlets, TV stands, etc., especially checking devices and furnishings facing the bed carefully.
Thorough inspection is crucial to prevent covert filming by indoor "pinholes." The Garden of Hope Foundation once reminded that in addition to paying attention to unusual holes in the surroundings, one should also be aware of "unreasonable" items in the environment, such as suddenly appearing photo frames.
People can use their mobile phones for simple detection. In private spaces like restrooms, turn on the phone's Wi-Fi. If a strong unknown signal is detected, be vigilant. Alternatively, dim the indoor lights, then use the phone's camera with the flashlight on to inspect the surroundings; pinhole lenses usually produce reflective points when illuminated by strong light. If a suspicious device is found, immediately take photos as evidence and report to the police to prevent harm to oneself or others.
If there are still doubts, the police suggest turning off the lights in the room to reduce illumination, as wireless pinhole cameras would then be unable to record clear images. (Editor: Lin Ting-chun) 1150504
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Thorough inspection is crucial to prevent covert filming by indoor "pinholes." The Garden of Hope Foundation once reminded that in addition to paying attention to unusual holes in the surroundings, one should also be aware of "unreasonable" items in the environment, such as suddenly appearing photo frames.
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency website, 4th) A suspected covert filming incident involving a pinhole camera hidden in a smoke detector on the ceiling of a treatment room at a chain beauty clinic in New Taipei City has emerged, and the police have intervened in the investigation. Pinhole cameras are small and easy to conceal, often used by unscrupulous individuals to pry into others' privacy. It is recommended that when entering places like hotel rooms or changing rooms for the first time, people use their phone's flashlight function to check the surroundings for possible pinhole lenses.
A netizen revealed on Threads that after changing clothes in a private treatment room at a beauty clinic in New Taipei City, she found what appeared to be a pinhole camera hidden in the smoke detector on the ceiling and reported it to the police. After police arrived and inspected, they confirmed that the device was a fake detector with a camera hidden inside. As it could not be confirmed whether the camera was operating and no one from the clinic came forward to explain, the police launched an investigation for obstruction of privacy.
The post published by the netizen involved attracted much attention. A firefighter judged based on photos and videos, "This is 100% a camera. Smoke detectors are 100% not installed in corners, as their response speed would be slower." Another netizen posted an image of a "disguised smoke detector camera" from an e-commerce website, questioning, "Why is it so easy to purchase such things?"
According to police public awareness materials, places where pinhole cameras might be hidden indoors include power outlets, bathroom mirrors, fire detectors, light fixtures, ceilings, keyholes, air conditioning vents, and on top of wardrobes. When staying overnight, special attention should be paid to hair dryers, emergency lights, lampshades, ceilings, clocks, makeup mirrors, air conditioning vents, vases, air fresheners, murals, keyholes, power outlets, TV stands, etc., especially checking devices and furnishings facing the bed carefully.
Thorough inspection is crucial to prevent covert filming by indoor "pinholes." The Garden of Hope Foundation once reminded that in addition to paying attention to unusual holes in the surroundings, one should also be aware of "unreasonable" items in the environment, such as suddenly appearing photo frames.
People can use their mobile phones for simple detection. In private spaces like restrooms, turn on the phone's Wi-Fi. If a strong unknown signal is detected, be vigilant. Alternatively, dim the indoor lights, then use the phone's camera with the flashlight on to inspect the surroundings; pinhole lenses usually produce reflective points when illuminated by strong light. If a suspicious device is found, immediately take photos as evidence and report to the police to prevent harm to oneself or others.
If there are still doubts, the police suggest turning off the lights in the room to reduce illumination, as wireless pinhole cameras would then be unable to record clear images. (Editor: Lin Ting-chun) 1150504
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio-visual content on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.