Researchers build a $7 smartphone clip-on that spots hidden cameras — AI and dynamic LED grid deliver 94% accuracy
This gadget only costs $7 but can help your catch hidden cameras through the use of the companion AI app that installs on your phone. It works by changing the location of the LED light source to compare different reflections and determine if it's a hidden camera or not.
KAIST, NUS, and SMU researchers have developed a clip-on LED light attachment that, when paired with an AI-powered app, can detect hidden cameras with 94% accuracy, according to The Chosun Daily. The technology, named SweepLED, utilizes a magnetic LED light grid that attaches to a smartphone and moves its light reflections across various surfaces.
This dynamic LED grid makes it easier to spot reflections from hidden camera lenses, which typically exhibit distinctive patterns. The research team tested SweepLED in real-world scenarios, analyzing 30 items, some of which contained hidden cameras, and achieved a detection accuracy of 93.9%. This new solution is a significant improvement over manual methods, which are time-consuming and prone to false positives.
The issue of hidden cameras in private spaces has become increasingly problematic in East Asia, particularly in South Korea, where women protested the issue in 2018. While this device can help protect individuals against hidden cameras in public spaces, it is not effective against the over 40,000 security cameras or the use of smart glasses that record without consent.
The U.S. Air Force has also banned the use of such devices on its bases due to privacy and security concerns.
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