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By Jack Beresford
Senior Reporter
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One of the first things Sedef Demir did when she and her husband checked into their hotel in Tokyo was look for a hidden camera, but she never expected to find one.
"I had previously heard about incidents involving cameras secretly installed in hotel rooms," she told Newsweek. Demir was staying at Hotel Aperto, an adults-only hotel they had booked through Booking.com.
Demir said she made the discovery after noticing what appeared to be a "small lens" underneath the television in their room.
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"My husband and I took a closer look and realized that it didn't seem to be part of the TV set. It was loosely attached with adhesive. When we carefully removed it, we discovered an SD card inside," Demir said.
She continued: "At first, we were unsure what we had found. Was it part of the TV set or was this really a hidden camera? We contacted the hotel manager, looking for help understanding the situation. He confirmed that it was indeed a hidden camera and apologized."
Newsweek contacted Hotel Aperto via email for comment
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Booking.com Responds
In a statement, a Booking.com spokesperson told Newsweek: “At Booking.com, the safety and privacy of our customers are top priorities. Surveillance devices are never permitted in spaces where guests have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as bedrooms, bathrooms, changing rooms, saunas or spa facilities.
“Hidden or ‘secret’ recording devices are strictly prohibited, and any use of surveillance devices must comply with applicable privacy and data protection laws. Properties that do not comply with these requirements can face warnings, suspension or removal from our platform. We continually review and strengthen these measures to help protect our customers’ privacy and give them peace of mind when they travel.”
Demir has been keen to stress that they are not accusing any members of the hotel staff of wrongdoing. Though the manager theorized that the camera may have been left by a previous guest, the truth is they still don't know who installed it in their room.
Demir said the manager took the camera to his office, and police were called.
"The police arrived with two other individuals who examined the SD card," she said. "They told us that the card was empty and that they therefore couldn't pursue criminal charges based on what they had found. They also searched the room for other cameras, but it was clear."
A Security Expert's View
Though Demir's first instinct was to look for a camera, incidents like this remain uncommon, at least for now.
Adrianus Warmenhoven, a cybersecurity expert at NordVPN, told Newsweek: "Discovering a hidden camera in a hotel room or vacation rental is still relatively rare, but it happens more often than most travelers assume, and the miniaturization and low cost of camera technology have made it easier than ever to conceal these devices."
According to Warmenhoven, counter-surveillance professionals have reported their workload "roughly doubling" in recent years, suggesting the problem is far more prevalent than official reports indicate.
That's why he commends the approach of vigilant travelers like Demir, who take a closer look around their surroundings before settling in.
"These devices are most often hidden in objects that blend naturally into a room and face beds or bathrooms: smoke detectors, alarm clocks, showerheads, USB chargers, power outlets, air purifiers, and even screws or coat hooks," Warmenhoven said. "Any electronic device already in the room deserves a second look."
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Checking Out
Though the couple were offered one extra night free of charge, Demir said they decided to check out the following day "because we no longer felt safe."
They have since contacted the Japanese Hotel Association (JHA), a leading trade organization in the country, to complain about what happened. They have yet to receive a response.
Newsweek has also contacted the JHA and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) for comment via email but has not yet received a response.
"We still don't know who installed the camera, how long it had been there, or whether it had recorded anything before we discovered it," Demir said. "We hope that sharing our experience will raise awareness and encourage the relevant organizations to provide better online tools to address issues like this."
Warmenhoven said Demir and her husband responded exactly as they should have by documenting the evidence, reporting it to the hotel and booking platform, and involving local law enforcement. The only other thing he would advise, however, is leaving the hotel "immediately."
"Finding a hidden camera in a place where you expected privacy is a profound violation. Accommodation is a temporary home, a space where people undress, sleep, and have their most intimate moments," he said. "Discovering you've been watched there can cause lasting anxiety, a loss of trust in hotels and rentals, and a persistent feeling of vulnerability. That impact is amplified when you're far from home, in an unfamiliar country, possibly facing a language barrier and unsure of your legal rights or whom to turn to for help."
How Travelers Can Check for Hidden Cameras
Warmenhoven said spotting hidden cameras doesn't require "sophisticated spy gadgets." Often, a smartphone is enough.
"Shine a light at suspected hiding spots. Camera lenses reflect red or blue when hit by light. Check smoke detectors, alarm clocks, showerheads, and other electronics facing the bed or bathroom," he said. "Scan the Wi-Fi network. Free apps like Fing let you see every device connected to the local network, including cameras, so you can spot anything that shouldn't be there."
He also recommends testing the Wi-Fi router.
"Switch it off and see whether the host or owner quickly calls to complain. If they do, it's a serious red flag that cameras may be streaming over that connection," he said.
Last but not least, he recommends checking any mirrors.
"Press your finger against the glass. If there's a gap between your finger and its reflection, it's a regular mirror. If there's no gap, it may be a one-way mirror. Shine a flashlight at it from an angle and you may be able to see what's behind it."
Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Marc Vargas and Anthony Murray.
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