Airbnb, hotels, rentals… there are a lot of places where our privacy can be threatened. Xiaomi addresses this problem with a new feature.
Privacy is a very serious topic. Xiaomi seems to have taken this concern seriously by developing a new function: detecting spy cameras via smartphone.
The principle is very simple on paper. Your Xiaomi smartphone will scan surrounding Wi-Fi networks for suspicious signals. In fact, most modern spy cameras are connected via Wi-Fi to transmit their images. If a suspicious network is detected, the app will prompt you to use your phone's camera to actually detect the intruder.
The trick? Spy cameras typically emit faint infrared light, invisible to the naked eye, but detectable by your smartphone's camera. By scanning the room in the dark, you may discover a small dot of light that indicates the presence of a hidden camera.
The arrival of the Xiaomi function on smartphones remains shrouded in some mystery. It will be part of HyperOS 2.0, the next version of Xiaomi's interface, however its exact availability is still to be confirmed. We don't know yet if it will be available in Europe. In addition, it will only be available on certain smartphones.
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Although this technology is promising, it is not without drawbacks. First limitation: It will only work on cameras connected via Wi-Fi. More primitive spy devices or those using other means of transportation will fly under the radar.
In addition, infrared detection is not infallible. Some sophisticated cameras may be designed to not emit detectable infrared light. Not to mention possible false positives: the remote control or motion sensor may be confused with the camera.
Homemade method
If you have read this article and are looking for another way, here is one of them. I warn you, it is low tech but effective for detecting hidden cameras.
This technique only requires a simple roll of toilet paper and a flashlight.
Here's how to do it:
- Turn off all the lights in the room.
- Place the toilet paper roll over your eye, like a speculum.
- Turn on the lamp and place it next to your eye, in line with the roller.
- Slowly scan the room while looking through the roller.
The lens of any camera, no matter how small, will reflect the light from your torch, creating a bright spot visible through the coil.
Note that this method can detect even cameras that are not connected to Wi-Fi… Think about it next time you're at an Airbnb.
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