Recently, a blogger broke the news on social media that hidden surreptitious cameras had been found in several B&Bs in Xinhua District, Shijiazhuang City, and that they had been mobbed by the B&B owners in the process of exposing them. Police then intervened to investigate and arrested three suspects on September 24, who were criminally detained on suspicion of illegally using eavesdropping and photo-tapping equipment. The three admitted that they had purchased surveillance equipment online and secretly installed it in B&B rooms in an attempt to make illegal profits. However, it is worth noting that the police said the suspects were not connected to the owner of the B&B, who was punished by the police for mobbing the blogger.
This incident has aroused concern about the black industry chain of clandestine photo-taking in B&Bs. We can't help but ask: Is it possible that B&B owners are also involved? A former B&B owner told reporters that the B&B industry is more likely to be a hotbed for clandestine photography due to its relatively loose regulation. Compared with regular hotels, B&Bs are more likely to be infiltrated by clandestine photo-taking gangs, and some B&B practitioners even collude with these gangs internally and externally.
This former B&B owner Xiaona (a pseudonym) shared some industry insider information. She revealed that some B&Bs quietly install cameras during the renovation phase, with at least three to five cameras in the rooms, which are usually very cleverly hidden, and even live-streamed through the cloud for long-term filming and monitoring. This kind of B&B often "low price, high quality" room type to attract residents, especially in schools, scenic spots near the love room, Netflix room and other themed rooms, it is the worst hit by clandestine photography.
Xiaona further reveals that the real profit model for some B&B owners does not come from room fees, but through selling secretly filmed videos or live streaming viewing rights. She mentioned that some bosses can earn five-figure incomes every day just by these illegal means, and behind this is a complete industrial chain - the B&B owners are responsible for providing video resources, while other teams are responsible for selling them online.
It is worth being vigilant that in order to avoid legal risks, owners of such B&Bs usually transfer their B&Bs to amateurs at a low price after about one year of operation, while they themselves move on to other cities and continue to engage in clandestine photo-taking for profit. Even if these B&Bs are later found to have hidden cameras, the responsibility has already been transferred to the new buyers, while the original owners are at large and continue to engage in illegal activities.
The black industrial chain behind this not only makes consumers feel deeply uneasy, but also exposes the blind spot in the regulation of the B&B industry. We hope that people will be more vigilant when choosing accommodation to protect their safety.
