We tested out $30 tiny spy cameras from Amazon by spying on our co-workers
- Despite Airbnb's rules prohibiting any surveillance devices, some Airbnb guests have found hidden cameras in their rentals.
- These cameras can be found in everyday household items like clocks, USB chargers, and light bulbs.
- In the video above, Business Insider's Michelle Yan tests out a couple of spy cameras from Amazon in the office.
Michelle Yan: What are you doing?
Emma Fierberg: I'm looking for the camera. Is it on the doorknob?
Michelle Yan: It's not on the doorknob.
Michelle Yan: So, we got our hands on some spy gear from Amazon. (These are so tiny). There's supposed to be some cameras hidden inside these normal-looking objects. Let's start with the clock.
SILLEYE WiFi Hidden Clock Camera
- Price: $36.99
- Live video on phone
- Records up to 60 mins
The camera's right here. Like now I can't see the camera at all.
And then, the smart charger.
YSD Spy Camera Smart Charger
- Price: $28.99
- Video and audio recording
- Can charge your phone
- Offers loop recording
Wow. It looks like a normal USB charger. The only thing, the camera's right here.
And then the last one is a dice.
Crazepony Mini Hidden Spy Camera
- Price: $20.69
- 60 mins on 2-hour charge
- Offers loop recording
So we just chose these three items, but there are plenty of other kinds of spy cams out there. We saw some coat racks, some light bulbs, pens, and even a screw. Some Airbnb hosts have been putting cameras in their homes to spy on their guests, despite the Airbnb rules.
These spy cams are pretty easy to hide because they look like everyday objects that you would put on a desk, or use normally. I'm gonna set these up tomorrow morning before my coworkers get in, and see if they notice.
Today, I'm gonna be setting up this alarm clock right over there. And it should pull up the view. And there it is. We're gonna use this USB charger as our next spy cam. So we're gonna insert our little memory card in here. Looks like a normal person just charging their phones. I'm gonna put this dice and record her. There it is.
We've hid these spy cameras around the office for a couple of hours already, and nobody has noticed. And that's honestly really shocking and really surprising. There was one that was like literally right in front of my coworkers, and they just didn't notice. I'm gonna show them clips of themselves, and see how they react.
Alex Appolonia: I feel like we're being interrogated.
AJ Caldwell: Alright, what's this?
Michelle Yan: Alright.
Alex Appolonia: You're up to no good, Michelle.
Michelle Yan: Here it is.
Emma Fierberg: Is this secret footage of me?
Rob Ludacer: Yeah. That was us.
Alana Yzola: What recorded me? I'm scared.
Jack Houston: Wait, what?
Alex Appolonia: Are you spying on us?
Michelle Yan: What are you doing?
Emma Fierberg: I'm looking for the camera.
Rob Ludacer: If I turned to look, will it still be there in a way I can determine?
Michelle Yan: Yes.
Emma Fierberg: Is it on the doorknob?
Rob Ludacer: Ah, the charger.
Kevin Priolo: Is it looking at us right now?
Michelle Yan: Mmm-hmm.
Kevin Priolo: That's so spooky.
AJ Caldwell: It's the clock then. That's a camera?
Alana Yzola: That is wild, and dangerous.
Kevin Priolo: I'm terrified by it, but I want one.
Emma Fierberg: Oh, this is bigger than I thought.
Jack Houston: We were having like a private moment talking about the package over there.
AJ Caldwell: Ingenious. Not cool.
Jack Houston: I hope I'm not like picking my nose at my desk, or something.
Kevin Priolo: This is like "Spy Kids."
Alana Yzola: Is there any, like, given way to tell?
Michelle Yan: Unfortunately, the best way is just, like, examine it. If you look really closely, you could kinda see the camera.
Alex Appolonia: Just watch your back now, 'cause we're gonna get you back.
Michelle Yan: Oh no!
Alana Yzola: In today's society, nothing is secret, nothing is apparently sacred, so thank you for opening my eyes to the dangers of technology. I feel like I'm in an episode of "Black Mirror" right now.
Michelle Yan: These cameras are a big privacy issue. It was all fun and games because we're in an office setting, and all of these are my coworkers, and I would tell them that I filmed them, but if it were coming from someone you didn't know, and in a place where you thought was a private place, then it's a different story.
Next time you go into an Airbnb, or even anywhere private, always just double check things that you see around you because there may be a camera hidden inside. And if you do end up finding a hidden camera, you should contact the local police.