Xiaomi to Integrate Hidden Camera Detection in HyperOS to Protect User Privacy, Though Effectiveness May Vary

Xiaomi is set to launch Xiaomi HyperOS 2.0 soon, a version rumored to include a new feature aimed at protecting user privacy: the detection of unknown and hidden cameras within a local network.

In recent years, hidden cameras and pinhole cameras have been discovered in hotels, guesthouses, and other public places. These cameras are often so small and lack LED indicators, making them virtually undetectable when hidden behind outlets, light fixtures, or disguised as smoke detectors.

This has led to instances where guests' private videos were secretly recorded and leaked online, posing serious privacy and security risks for both hotels and guests. Thus, Xiaomi seeks to introduce a feature capable of detecting hidden cameras.

To use this feature, one must connect to the public WiFi provided by the hotel. Then, Xiaomi phones can scan devices within the network to identify any camera-related devices, alerting users to potential privacy concerns.

This functionality appears to be inspired by the open-source project Ingram on GitHub, written in Python, which detects cameras within a network through IP address filtering or traffic analysis.

However, users should remain cautious. Many hidden cameras now come with built-in SIM cards for data, eliminating the need for WiFi and thereby making them undetectable by this method. Additionally, some hidden cameras purchased by criminals do not feature internet connectivity. Instead, the perpetrators periodically retrieve the storage cards from these cameras to export the videos.

Therefore, it's recommended that guests use their smartphone cameras' flashlights to carefully inspect hidden areas themselves, as relying on WiFi to find hidden cameras might only serve as a placebo.