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Topics: News, Technology, US News
Gerrard Kaonga
A married couple were left horrified when they realized the home they were staying in allegedly had a 'hidden camera' inside.
Eliot and Nancy Young, from Arkansas, hoped to make the most of their vacation to Scottsdale, Arizona and opted to stay in an Airbnb rather than a hotel in a trip last year.
However, after they 'enjoyed an intimate moment' on the first night, the following morning Eliot 'noticed a "smoke detector" oddly placed directly above the bed'.
The couple have since filed a lawsuit which alleges: “As he laid there… [he] became more puzzled by the location of the 'smoke detector' and decided to investigate further.”
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That's when he discovered it was actually a 'hidden camera'.
The pair said they found a memory card in the alleged spy cam and looked on it to discover 'videos of past renters dating back to 2020'.
The lawsuit alleges that they also located 'devices that [they] believed could livestream what had transpired the night before'.
It was after this discovery that they looked to contact the local police. This situation was made even more concerning as their children were also with them for this trip, sleeping in a separate bedroom.
An Airbnb spokesperson told UNILAD: “Hidden cameras have always been and will always be banned on Airbnb, and issues are exceptionally rare. We supported the guest and suspended the host from the platform last year, and we stand ready to assist law enforcement with any investigation into this allegation.”
Stories like this are concerning and have grown more prevalent with the improvements to technology over the years.
Thankfully, experts have shared useful tips on spotting potential spy cams for those staying at hotels or other property rentals.
According to a report by smart home device and appliance company Eufy, the first tip is to do a physical inspection.
It is important to think like that of the individual hoping to spy, what spots would likely be the most effective, checking specific rooms is also advised, rooms like the bedroom, bathroom, shower area and restrooms.
There are also common items that can be worth checking, some of these include smoke detectors, alarm devices, lamps, vents, shower heads, picture frames, plants and stuffed toys and most importantly, any objects that don’t quite fit their location.
Even with a thorough search, some devices can be missed so it also might be worth investing in a lens detector. As the name would suggest, they detect lenses by emitting a specific type of light. When it detects a reflection from a lens the lights blinks on the device, helping you pinpoint the location of the camera.