Spycams in South Korea

In South Korea, there are miniature sized cameras that are secretly installed to take nonconsensual pictures and videos. These pictures and videos would then be sent and shared with others. This has become a major issue in South Korea as women are specifically being targeted and has sparked the recent feminist movements. Women are forced to be cautious when out in the public and in private rooms. These small cameras are being hidden in public bathrooms, private motels, schools, and many more places. This is an invasion of privacy and is taken to further measures when this “spycam porn” is shared with other sources. Especially since the creation and distribution of porn is illegal in South Korea. Women are bringing attention to this matter and the government is putting extra efforts into tracking these spycams.

Reactions

Fear

In March 2019, about 1,600 people were secretly filmed in motels in South Korea. This was also live-streamed to the online world for people that paid to watch. Cameras were hidden in digital TV boxes, wall sockets, and hairdryer holders. These cameras are so small and are very hard to find. Because it is very difficult to detect if there are spycams or you are being filmed, there has been this fear that has surfaced. Women are afraid to even use public bathrooms, or really anything outside of their homes. This fear comes from not knowing when their privacy will be broken and will have unconsented content out in the digital world.

Feminist movement

Thousands of women protested on the streets in South Korea with signs that said “My life is not your porn”. This increased the demand to take down unconsented photos of women.

Crime punishment

Burning Sun scandal

Burning Sun ScandalIn May 2019, South Korea faced one of the biggest scandals involving spycams. Several K-Pop celebrities were found guilty of illegally filming and sharing footage of women. This quickly escalated and more information was discovered that eventually led to the major involvers being arrested.