Taichung City Inspects LaLaport Store After Camera Found Allegedly Pointing at Fitting Room

(CNA, by reporter Hao Hsueh-ching, Taichung, 19th) A customer at a sporting goods store in Taichung City's East District LaLaport shopping center filed a police report after discovering a surveillance camera pointed at a fitting room while using it. The Taichung City Government stated today that it has dispatched personnel to investigate and has required the department store operator to strengthen supervision of its in-house counters. A customer recently went to this well-known sporting goods store to try on clothes and, upon looking up, discovered a surveillance camera on the wall aimed at the fitting room. It was suspected that the changing process could be recorded through the gap in the door and reflections from a full-length mirror, leading them to file a police report and post about it online. The Third Precinct of the Taichung City Police Department said that on the 18th, they received a report from a member of the public who claimed to have been filmed while trying on clothes by a camera outside the fitting room via a mirror reflection. They have notified the store and the manufacturer to provide a statement. The case has been referred to the Taichung District Prosecutors Office for investigation on suspicion of offenses against privacy and offenses against sexual privacy and false sexual images. The Taichung City Government's Economic Development Bureau explained that regarding the suspected illegal filming by a surveillance camera in the fitting room of the Under Armour sporting goods store on the 4th floor of LaLaport's North Building, they immediately sent personnel to the scene to understand the situation and required the department store operator to enhance supervision of its tenants. The Economic Development Bureau stated that the brand has already removed the camera and its head office has initiated a comprehensive review of the surveillance equipment and camera angles in all its directly-operated stores across Taiwan. Furthermore, as this case involves a criminal offense, judicial authorities are investigating. The Bureau will also strengthen joint inspections of department stores to protect public privacy. The Bureau pointed out that, upon investigation, LaLaport is equipped with anti-hidden camera detection devices, and the operator regularly inspects private spaces such as restrooms and nursing rooms. Brand counters are also regularly patrolled by floor managers. The Bureau emphasized that it will require major department stores within its jurisdiction to enhance patrols and self-management of private spaces like fitting rooms and restrooms. The Bureau will subsequently audit relevant inspection records during large-scale department store joint inspections and will strictly prosecute any illegal activities.