A post arguing the "uselessness of detectors," which has been viewed more than 520,000 times on social media (SNS) recently, raised this issue. The writer said, "In a situation where you don't know where an illegal filming device might be hidden, you have to scan a wide area, but due to equipment performance, it's practically difficult." What was confirmed on the ground was not much different.
Seoul's district offices are lending illegal filming device detectors for free through community centers, but there are criticisms that performance is poor because the devices are old models. Awareness is low, so usage was also sluggish.
◇Even when pointed at a camera, the "light" disappears depending on the angle
We personally borrowed an illegal filming device detector from a community center in Seoul. After turning off the lights and pointing it at a smartphone camera lens, a white flash flickered on the detector's screen.
But even a slight change in the detector's angle made the light disappear quickly. There were also cases where it failed to properly recognize camera lenses on other smartphone models or laptops. In environments with multiple electronic devices, the light was faint and hard to distinguish with the naked eye, or it did not appear at all.
The security industry says community center lending devices are older models and inevitably have limitations. A security company official said, "As illegal filming devices continue to become more miniaturized, the identification accuracy of existing detectors is bound to decline."
Another security company head also said, "If ordinary citizens who are not familiar with the characteristics and usage of detectors conduct inspections themselves, it's hard to expect real effectiveness," adding, "As illegal filming devices have advanced rapidly, the limitations of old equipment are becoming more pronounced."
◇Low usage… half of districts record single-digit lending per year
Seoul received an earmarked tax (special) and has operated a free lending program since Jan. 2019 by distributing 987 illegal filming device detectors to 25 districts. The lending models are two types: lens detectors and radio frequency detectors.
But since then, there has been no city-level program to replace detectors with new models. Currently, only some districts, including Seocho, Yongsan, Gangnam, and Eunpyeong, have additionally introduced thermal imaging detectors or video detection detectors with their own budgets for lending. A district official explained, "We brought in new devices because the detector performance was lacking."
Lending counts were not high either. Among 14 districts that disclosed lending figures, only five recorded 10 or more annual loans last year. Gwanak District had the most with 273 cases, apparently influenced by residents who borrow devices to conduct monthly regular inspections.
Next were Gangnam District with 43, Gwangjin District and Yongsan District with 15 each, and Yeongdeungpo District with 11. Most of the remaining districts were in the single digits. Some districts do not even compile related statistics.
◇Government pushing to introduce fixed detectors operating 24 hours
To compensate for the limitations of existing portable detectors, the government is pushing to introduce fixed illegal filming device detectors capable of 24-hour constant monitoring. Recently, it also conducted the first demand survey targeting districts. The expense will be split with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety covering half, and Seoul City and the districts each sharing 25%.
However, there are no separate plans for additional support for portable detectors that citizens borrow and use directly. Seoul is reviewing self-procurement plans through a separate demand survey.
A Seoul city official said, "We recognize there are concerns about detector performance," adding, "Device prices are high, making it burdensome for districts to replace them on their own."