How to discover hidden cameras in sockets and mirrors using your cell phone

Hidden camera: See how to identify yourself
Stories of people finding hidden cameras in high-traffic spaces are not uncommon. In a recent case, a woman found the device hidden in the bathroom of the company where she works, in Içara (SC).
Recording images without authorization can constitute a crime, even if it is done for security purposes. The Penal Code provides for a penalty of 6 months to 1 year in detention, in addition to a fine, for anyone who records intimate scenes without the knowledge of those who are in them.
There is no simple way to guarantee that a location is completely free of hidden cameras. But the cell phone can be an ally to reduce risks.
Employee finds microcamera in company bathroom in Içara
PMSC/Disclosure
Experts recommend following a step-by-step guide to check the security of rooms and bathrooms. The practice may be impractical in everyday life due to so many places visited, but it is useful if you stay in a new place for a long time, such as a hotel room.
"The person can check the light bulb, the sockets, the clocks [to look for connected equipment]. All electronic equipment that has electrical power or that should not be in that place can be checked," cybersecurity expert Alexandre Armellini told g1 in a 2024 report.
Check out tips below.
1st tip: look for reflections from camera lenses
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In the darkest room possible, turn on your cell phone camera with the flash activated and look at the screen to see if the light is reflecting small dots in unusual places, such as smoke detectors or lamps - this reflection can reveal the presence of a camera lens.
2nd tip: look for infrared lights
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Still in the dark environment, with the cell phone camera and the flash turned off, see if you can find a small purple light blinking in the room. It may indicate the existence of a camera capable of recording images in the dark.
3rd tip: check the sockets
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Use equipment such as a cell phone charger to test the electrical installation in the room - if the inputs are the same standard as the equipment plug and it is not possible to connect it to the socket, it has possibly been tampered with.
4th tip: check the mirrors
Vitória Coelho/Arte g1
Point your cell phone flashlight at mirrors in search of transparent spots. Touch the glass to check, based on the noise, whether they are hollow, which could be an indication that there is built-in equipment - this spying technique requires considerable space behind the mirrors, so it concerns those placed in frames or boxes that distance them from the wall.
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What to do beyond that?
When looking for cameras, focus on places where they could, in fact, be hidden. This is the case of higher points and in the corners of the room, as well as those close to sockets and which can be "camouflaged" behind the decoration, for example.
It is also important to check accessories that can be loaned by the establishment, such as cell phone chargers. They may have a small light, where you can keep a camera attached.
But, even though cameras are discreet, they are not microscopic. The lenses can fit into the socket hole, but from behind they are the size of a coin, explained Hugo Bernardes, master in electronic engineering.
"There are no very small cameras that are easily accessible. Tiny cameras are very expensive. So, what you find are slightly larger cameras with a power supply circuit. There may even be cameras with batteries, but they don't last long", he says.
Security, but without paranoia
You can go even further and use tools that identify devices that are using Wi-Fi or buy accessories such as radio frequency detectors to search for hidden cameras. But because methods can contain technical information, they can confuse more than help.
The search for frequency emissions can also be hampered by the presence of other devices, says Bernardes. "Your cell phone already emits radio frequency, as well as a notebook, a smart light bulb, Wi-Fi and the radio itself."
And, despite the security measures, the guideline is to prevent worry from ruining your leisure time. This is because it is not possible to be 100% sure that the accommodation or any other public space is being monitored.
"We have to be very careful not to go to the side of paranoia. Otherwise, no one has a life anymore," said Armellini.
Employee finds microcamera in company bathroom in Içara

Source: G1