Hidden Hotel Room Cameras Live-Stream Guests... 'Spycam Porn' Spreads Across China

BBC identifies over six Telegram channels and apps
"Filming starts the moment the room power is switched on"

A report has emerged that so-called 'spycam porn' is being systematically operated in China, in which hidden cameras in hotel rooms are used to film guests' private lives and the footage is then distributed for a fee.

A report has emerged that 'spycam porn' is being operated systematically in China (the photo is for illustrative purposes and is unrelated to the article). Pixabay

On February 6, the BBC reported that after more than a year of investigative reporting, it had confirmed that these crimes are spreading via messengers such as Telegram and through dedicated websites.

The BBC reported that although illegal filming and distribution are prohibited under Chinese law, criminal organizations are systematically running live-streaming channels and generating profits. During the investigation, it highlighted the case of a Hong Kong man referred to under the pseudonym "Eric," who in 2023 discovered on social media that a video of himself and his girlfriend, secretly filmed at a hotel in Shenzhen, China, was being circulated. A covert camera installed in their room had filmed the bedroom, and the footage was reportedly shared on a channel followed by thousands of subscribers. According to the BBC, the woman suffered severe distress from the shock, and the couple found it difficult to return to normal life for a long time afterward.

The BBC investigative team identified at least six sites and apps being promoted on Telegram, and detected claims by these platforms that they had "installed cameras in more than 180 hotel rooms." It reported that on one site, 54 cameras were replaced and operated over a seven-month period. It added that filming begins the moment guests switch on the power in the room, and that the system allows not only real-time streaming but also the downloading and resale of recorded videos.

The BBC reporting team actually discovered a hidden camera in a hotel room in Zhengzhou, China. The device had been installed inside a wall vent and was of a type that would be difficult to detect with commercially available detection equipment. When the BBC removed the camera, news of the incident quickly spread on a Telegram channel, and the operator reportedly announced that the equipment had immediately been moved to another hotel.

The BBC estimated that an individual known as "AKA," believed to be a broker, may have generated at least 220,000 dollars (about 323.35 million won) in revenue since April 2024.

The Chinese government introduced regulations in 2024 making regular inspections of hotels mandatory, but critics say illegal filming remains rampant. Blue Lee of Rainlily, a Hong Kong organization that responds to sexual violence crises, said, "Requests to have victim videos removed have surged, but it is often difficult to take action because Telegram frequently does not respond." After the BBC reported the issue, Telegram reportedly stated that "non-consensual explicit content violates our terms of service" and expressed its intention to strengthen oversight.

However, some live-streaming platforms have been confirmed to still be in operation. Experts argue that platform accountability must be strengthened, enforcement systems must be overhauled to ensure real effectiveness, and support mechanisms for victims must be put in place.