Eavesdropping and hidden cameras in the workplace are certainly something to be concerned about.
Covert cameras on sale at one retail outlet.
Many corporations have TSCM sweeps done in their boardrooms and the C-suite executive offices. And most professional TSCM providers will tell you that discovery of hidden devices in those locations is rather rare. This type of corporate office sweeps is typically done on periodically a regular basis. It is a pro-active security measure, conducting due diligence, often considered part of an audit of information security.
Recurring sweeps are important, just like going to the dentist every six months. You hope to come away with just a cleaning, but they may tell you that problems are developing and you may need more work. When you have a tooth ache, though, then your regular dentist will already have your X-Rays and be familiar with your history, so they are more prepared to help you quickly, before that small cavity becomes an abscess and a tooth needs to be extracted.
Sweeps of other areas in a business facility are not very common, unless there has been a significant incident or report of a personnel problem.
For everyone, whether in the office, and hotel room, or any place you may not have control of, it is always wise to be aware of your surroundings. You don’t want to become overly paranoid, but you also do not want to be a victim.
Wall power supply camera has a small hole for the lens to view from.
Notice if anything new has appeared- if you check a few spy shop outlets online you can see the many different types of hidden cameras that are available, from water bottles to tissue boxes, to cell phone chargers and even electric outlets. If any such items appear in your private areas they may be worth a quick visual inspection.
Also notice if any new holes appear, perhaps in ceiling tiles or walls or other partitions where someone may have been able to have access to the other side.
Hidden cameras require a hole from where the lens can view the target area. If you see a suspicious hole, try shining a flashlight directly into it. A camera lens will show a reflection of the light. Other things may reflect the light as well, such as an aluminum stud in a wall, so it may not be absolute proof, but still worth checking.
If you run a business or facility that may have locker rooms, many rest rooms, or other private areas, it may also be worth having professional inspections conducted regularly.
Two recent workplace incidents in Georgia have come out in the news, exposing what can and may be happening in many companies, even though it may not always be in the executive areas.
- A fire chief in Tullulah Falls, GA, was arrested on charges of stalking and unlawful surveillance after hiding a camera in the ceiling of a business.
- In north Georgia, an EMT was arrested in a health care facility after allegedly using a hidden camera to spy on and harass a coworker.
Tallulah Falls Fire Chief Paul A. Marsteller, 66, was arrested on Sept. 21 by Habersham County Sheriff’s Office deputies for stalking and unlawful eavesdropping/surveillance after the suspect allegedly videotaped fellow employees at a private business.
The charges that were issued in Habersham County warrants are unrelated to Marsteller’s position as fire chief. Marsteller remained in custody as of 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, according to Habersham County Sheriff’s Office officials.
Unlawful eavesdropping/surveillance is a felony that is punishable, if convicted, by one to five years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine or both. Stalking is a misdemeanor.
… Deputies spoke with a male complainant who said he was notified on Monday, Sept. 19, that two of his employees – a male and a female – had located a camera inside their place of employment. The complainant said the female employee was told by Marsteller that she was being videoed and there was evidence of her “having fun at work.” The complainant said Marsteller was going to give the video to the female’s husband. The complainant said once he found out about the camera, he required Marsteller go to the main business office located in another county. The complainant said upon Marsteller’s arrival at the main office, the suspect was questioned by the employees about the camera in the office. According to the complainant, Marsteller admitted to installing the camera around the beginning of September.
HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — An EMT in north Georgia was arrested and is facing charges after allegedly placing a hidden camera in the sleeping area of his station and using it to spy on and harass a co-worker.
The company, Transcare Medical in Flowery Branch, said it was made aware of the incident Tuesday. They said Wednesday the employee had been terminated and that “the entire matter was then turned over to the authorities.”
Arrest warrants in the case indicate the employee allegedly installed a small camera in the ceiling of the sleeping area, using it for three weeks before telling his co-worker that “she was being videoed” and he “had evidence of her having fun at work.”
The warrant also alleges the employee had a key made to the station to get in and hide the camera when no one would notice. The co-worker and her shift partner later found the camera in the ceiling, and he allegedly admitted installing it when his boss confronted him about it.
The camera was found the night of Sept. 19, and the employee was arrested thereafter.
Video report below from 11alive.com