Unwilling Adult Film Stars: Man Goes Online and Discovers Himself and His Girlfriend in a Video

Hidden Camera Incident in Hong Kong

A man from Hong Kong recently found out that a pornographic video showing him and his girlfriend in an intimate moment was secretly recorded using a hidden camera in a hotel in Shenzhen, China.

Eric and his girlfriend, Emily, were unaware they were being filmed. The video, which runs for an hour, was uploaded to Telegram, a widely used messaging and social media platform. This particular site claims it has over 180 hidden cameras set up in hotel rooms, streaming guests’ private activities. The couple chose to use fake names during a BBC World Service investigation. There have also been numerous reports of hidden cameras in properties across the UK and Airbnb locations in the U.S.

Although Telegram is banned in China, it still facilitates illegal activities. During an 18-month investigation, the BBC found that around 10,000 members viewed inappropriate live streams on a particular channel. One content dealer on Telegram reportedly had a library of over 6,000 videos dating back to 2017. The investigation revealed that the content was captured by 54 different hidden cameras, nearly half of which were operational at any given time.

The BBC reported that the camera feeds are accessible on a live streaming site from the moment hotel guests insert their keycards and activate the electricity. As of April 2025, the Chinese government has mandated that hotel owners regularly check for hidden cameras, yet the issue continues to be a concern.

These cameras can be disguised in various forms, such as inside chargers, smoke detectors, and light bulbs, and can be purchased online for around $20. In the U.S., video voyeurism is illegal in all states, and recording someone without their consent in a private setting constitutes a felony in 21 states.

Airbnb has been aware of the hidden camera issue for roughly a decade and has faced numerous customer support claims regarding surveillance equipment. Despite informing shareholders of the problem, Airbnb allowed video cameras in common areas if visible to guests for a number of years. The company did initiate a ban on surveillance cameras in April 2024 but did not outline how it would enforce this ban. Additionally, reports indicate that Airbnb does not intend to notify law enforcement about hidden camera complaints, and its guidelines currently reflect a lack of mandatory police involvement.

In a 2024 news release, Airbnb stated that violations of their policy “will be investigated,” with potential actions including listing issues or account removals.