Half of inspected hotels in Taiwan use hidden-camera detection

台灣接受檢驗的飯店中，有一半採取了可偵測隱藏針孔攝影機的措施

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Consumer Protection Committee on Thursday announced the results of a May inspection of 21 hotels across seven cities and counties, finding that 11 had adopted measures to detect hidden cameras.

The joint inspections, conducted by consumer protection officers and local government officials, covered hotels in Taoyuan City, Hsinchu County, Nantou County, Chiayi City, Tainan City, Kaohsiung City, and Yilan County, according to CNA.

Of the hotels inspected, nine carried out hidden-camera detection on a regular schedule and two did so irregularly. Two others claimed to provide such services, but only one met its stated standards.

Inspectors ordered the removal of related signage at hotels that failed to meet their claims.

Hidden cameras, also known as pinhole cameras, are typically small enough to fit on a thumb and may be concealed in air vents, power outlets, or areas near televisions. Detection generally relies on identifying signals such as radio waves used in wireless transmission, requiring equipment that can scan the frequency bands of various technologies, according to StrongPi Lab.

The inspections also uncovered broader safety issues.

Four hotels were found in violation of building safety regulations, including unreported public safety issues, unauthorized floor expansions, illegal rooftop structures, and stairwells blocked by clutter. Fire safety checks revealed violations at five hotels, such as malfunctioning emergency broadcast systems, curtains without flame-retardant labels, and expired or underpressurized fire extinguishers.