Seoul to check public toilets daily for hidden cameras

The South Korea government has vowed to conduct daily checks in all public toilets for hidden cameras in capital Seoul, BBC reported.

Secret cameras in toilets and changing rooms are a serious issue in the country -- with more than 6,000 cases of "spy cam porn" reported last year.

The videos are often uploaded online without the knowledge of the victims.

Earlier this year, tens of thousands of women protested against hidden cameras, carrying signs with messages like "my life is not your porn"

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Activists say women live in constant fear of being photographed or filmed without their knowledge. About 80 per cent of the victims of spy camera porn are women.


Seoul's public toilets are currently inspected for hidden cameras only about once a month.

However, staff who maintain restrooms will now also be required to check public toilets for spy cameras on a daily basis.

Law enforcement officials have previously said that it is difficult to catch perpetrators - especially as they can install cameras, and take them down again within 15 minutes.

While more than 5,400 people were arrested for spy camera related crimes last year, fewer than 2 per cent of those held were jailed.

Yonhap says that the 50 government employees tasked specifically with finding hidden cameras have not discovered any for two years.

The article originally appeared in BBC.