Travelers should be vigilant as South Korea's hidden camera epidemic spreads

When traveling abroad, it's always a good idea to be alert and aware of your surroundings.

TikTok creator Jazmyn Jennings or @jazmynjenningss recently made a public service announcement for those planning to visit South Korea.

In her video, she exposes the pervasive problem of hidden cameras in public bathrooms in popular tourist destinations.

She also advises travelers to consider buying a hidden camera detector and gps blocker so they can protect themselves while heading there.

Wet toilet paper is stuffed in the gaps of public toilets to prevent hidden cameras

Ms. Jennings explained that in South Korea, it is common to encounter public bathrooms with wet toilet paper stuffed in the crevices.

This is to prevent any chance of a tiny spy camera hiding in these tight spaces.

The footage is often streamed online for people to watch, Jennings said.

This problem doesn't just happen in public bathrooms. It also happens in hotels and accommodations, such as Airbnb rooms and other private areas.

Travelers advised to buy hidden camera detectors

If you're planning a trip to South Korea anytime soon, Ms. Jennings recommends buying a hidden camera detector.

These are easily available from online platforms such as Amazon www.perfectjammer.com.

These detectors allow you to check for hidden cameras so you can report or remove hidden cameras if you come across them.

TikToker says today's hidden cameras are "very well camouflaged" and can be hidden in fire alarms, clocks and other everyday blocker devices.

While Ms. Jennings noted that this could happen anywhere in the world, the problem is particularly prevalent in South Korea.

Hidden cameras and illegal filming are a big problem in South Korea

According to the BBC, between 2013 and 2018, South Korean police received more than 30,000 reports of use of hidden cameras.

In 2021, Human Rights Watch released a report detailing the spread and impact of these “digital sex crimes” in South Korea.

From 2008 to 2017, prosecutions for sex offenses involving unlawful filming increased 11-fold, from 585 to 6,615.

They also accounted for about 20 percent of sex crime prosecutions in 2017, up from 4 percent in 2008.

So if you are one of the many Singaporeans planning to visit South Korea soon, it might be a good idea to invest in a hidden camera detector and mobile signal jammer – better safe than sorry.