Candid recording equipment is still on sale

The illegal eavesdropping and stealing of equipment into the society will have a detrimental effect on citizens’ privacy and national security. Recently, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Public Security, and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine jointly drafted the “Prohibition of the Production, Sale and Use of Special Equipment for Eavesdropping and Stealing and “Pseudo Base Stations” (Draft for Soliciting Opinions)” (hereinafter referred to as “Regulations”). ""), and has been publicly solicited for comments.

Eavesdropping, stealing equipment sales situation? The reporter recently conducted a survey interview.

Reduced number of physical stores

The reporter first visited the Shenzhen Pacific Security Market. Shops along the street on the first floor made it clear that there was no eavesdropping or stealing equipment. Going to the market to ask, there is still no sales. At this time, a middle-aged man who was observing nearby came to express that he had.

The reporter followed the man to a counter that operated security equipment. After confirming that the reporter really wanted to buy the boss, she carefully took out several camouflaged cameras from the dark cabinet under the counter.

"Pen-style, button-type, car key-type of these relatively easy to use." The boss took out a pen-type burglary equipment, looks like ordinary pen and no difference. "Using only one button on the lid, it comes with 2G of memory, you can shoot for two hours." The boss said that this price of 190 yuan to steal the pen, the price can be negotiated.

"Is there a more advanced one?" the reporter asked.

"The most advanced is this, sell 320 yuan." The boss picked up a car key-shaped miniature camera, said, "The indicator light can be opened after the release," the boss presses the unlock key to start recording, "It also has infrared Radiator with night vision function."

The reporter saw that a product catalogue on the counter was listed in five or six pages and disguised as a wide range of candid recording devices: power strips, disposable lighters, wall clocks, U-disks, etc.

Regarding whether there is an operating license for such equipment, the proprietress said that no license is required.

In addition to this booth, the reporter found on the second floor of the market an online shop owner who had come to buy the goods. A dozen boxes containing eavesdropping and stealing equipment were on the floor. After inquiring, the boss showed the reporter that he was able to take pictures of the car keys and sneak shots. The price and style were similar to those seen on the first floor. "This kind of thing is selling very well on the Internet, and this month has sold more than 50." The boss said.

Afterwards, the reporter went to the electronics market such as SEG Plaza and the mini-digital port. The situation is similar to that of the Pacific Security Market. Although most merchants explicitly stated that they did not “spymonger or stole equipment for sale”, they still had several “sniffing holes” and secretly Sale of these "three no" eavesdropping, stealing equipment.

Trading is more invisible to the Internet and difficult to rectify

The reporter searched for an online shopping site and searched for keywords such as "micro-cameras and Shenzhen." The eavesdropping and stealing equipment on pens, watches, glasses, belts, purses, and other everyday items was dazzling. Searching for “candid shots” on another home appliance business platform, including watches and clothes hooks, also has thousands of results.

Compared with the mall's equipment, the online sales staff "service" is more comprehensive. There are even companies that claim to be "franchise" and "all-inclusive after-sales service." When a reporter asks what brand of equipment, the sales staff said that none of the equipment is branded.

Whether it will be investigated, an online customer service said that the company produced such products for nearly 6 years and has never been found. The website introduction shows: “The company’s professional and leading technologies in intelligent digital surveillance and traditional closed-circuit television monitoring have been recognized by security professionals at home and abroad.” The reporter queried on the website of the Shenzhen Municipal Market Supervision Administration and did not inquire about any of the company’s Registration information.

Yang Xinfa, a lawyer of Guangdong Wanxuan Law Firm, said that most of these candid recording devices are “three nothing” products, and that law enforcement efforts should be strengthened at the source.

Xie Weiqun, deputy captain of the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau Criminal Police Detachment, said that many of these online store registered addresses are false addresses. According to the website display address investigation, many times are “check this person”, and even some online shops have no equipment at all. Just scam this. "In the future, Shenzhen will continue to conduct in-depth rectification of eavesdropping and stealing equipment sales, and will always make unremitting efforts."

Incomplete identification of spy equipment, new rules or regulations will be resolved

As for the current market situation, industry experts told reporters that profit drive is the reason for illegal production and sales of spy equipment. "A chip, a lens, a data line, and a housing can be simply assembled into a finished product. The cost of such a 'cottage' product will not exceed tens of dollars, and sales to consumers will have to be more than ten times."

Article 21 of the "National Security Law" stipulates that no individual or organization may unlawfully hold or use eavesdropping or stealing special spy equipment. Article 283 and 284 of the “Criminal Law” of China stipulate that illegally producing and selling eavesdropping, stealing, and other special spy equipment shall be punished with imprisonment of not more than three years, criminal detention or control. At the same time, the illegal use of eavesdropping and photocopying of special equipment will also result in imprisonment, criminal detention or control of less than two years. “The rectification actions we implemented last year are based on these two laws. The use of eavesdropping and stealing equipment by citizens to infringe the rights of others is suspected of being illegal. However, the identification of espionage equipment is still not complete and clear.” Xie Weiqun believes that this Need related departments to participate in the discussion.

The "Regulations" for seeking opinions in April this year clearly pointed out that the quality supervision and industry and commerce departments found that the production and sale of the above-mentioned equipment and equipment during the law enforcement inspections should be promptly sent to the local public security organs for confirmation. If it constitutes a crime, the public security organ shall directly impose a criminal crackdown on it; if it does not constitute a crime, it shall be dealt with by means of administrative sanctions in accordance with law and shall be ordered to stop and a fine of up to 30,000 yuan shall be imposed. Experts said that the "Regulations" have made a detailed division of labor from the identification to the enforcement, and will effectively solve the current regulatory loophole after the implementation.

Peng Yu, the squadron leader of the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau's Criminal Police Detachment, suggested that the supervision of such electronic products should be strengthened as soon as possible, and a special industry license system should be adopted to limit the qualifications of production and sales personnel. The purchaser implements the filing system, real name purchase, and limits the use of the product.