IP Camera Hacking [Image Source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] As the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic prolongs, not only universities but also elementary, middle, and high schools have decided to conduct video lectures using webcams, raising concerns about camera hacking.
Recently, questions about privacy invasion through webcams have been posted on portal site Q&A pages. One netizen wrote, "Since the university semester started, I have been attending classes online, and I usually cover my laptop webcam with tape, only removing it during lectures. Can my privacy still be invaded?"
Concerns have grown after it was revealed that the operator of the Telegram 'Nth Room' who produced and distributed sexual exploitation materials, known as 'Watchman,' had previously hacked IP cameras to illegally record and distribute private footage.
There have been previous cases where private videos were distributed like pornography due to webcam hacking. Following such incidents, 'webcam covers' have emerged. After the Nth Room incident, demand for webcam covers also increased significantly.
An online shopping mall official explained, "Previously, searches for 'webcam cover' were about 50 per month, but in February, when the Nth Room incident escalated, it rose to 177, and in March, 186, increasing more than 3.5 times." An online seller of webcam covers said, "Sales of webcam covers increased by about 30% last month, the start of the university semester, compared to usual."
However, webcam covers are ineffective during video lectures. Since students must show their faces throughout the lecture to be marked present, not only their faces and voices but also the inside of their homes are exposed to an unspecified number of people. It has also been pointed out that students frequently capture screenshots of other students' faces or rooms.
In response, some voices call for giving students the option to turn off their webcams. One university student said, "Students should be given the choice to turn off their webcams unless it is necessary, such as during attendance checks or Q&A sessions."
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