Safeguarding Your Privacy in Student Accommodation:

What Students Need to Know About Technical Surveillance

As thousands of new students move into halls of residence or private rentals each autumn, it’s an exciting time — new friendships, new routines, and often, the first real taste of independence. However, alongside all the excitement, it’s important to be aware of some serious safeguarding concerns surrounding personal privacy and technical surveillance.

At SIASS, we work to raise awareness of privacy risks and how to respond if you ever suspect that your personal space has been compromised. Understanding what is possible — and knowing what to do — can make all the difference in protecting your safety and securing vital evidence.

What Do We Mean by ‘Surveillance Devices’?

When we talk about technical surveillance, we mean the use of electronic devices and techniques designed to secretly observe, record, or track individuals. These can include:

• Hidden cameras (can be concealed in smoke alarms, wall hooks, USB chargers, clocks, or other everyday objects)

• Eavesdropping or listening devices (planted in walls, plugs, furniture or other ordinary objects)

• Trackers (such as GPS devices or Bluetooth tags hidden in bags, vehicles, or rooms)

These devices are disturbingly cheap and easy to obtain and install — as highlighted by reports of spy cameras disguised as ordinary home accessories being sold on major platforms such as Amazon (Metro, Dec 2023).

Why This Matters: Real Examples from UK Student Life

Unfortunately, these risks are not hypothetical. Recent UK cases have shown how serious the problem can be:

• A woman discovered a hidden camera inside her home (Chronicle Live, 2024)

• A camera was found under a desk in a university study space in London (The Tab, 2025)

• A University of Lincoln student discovered a hidden camera in their house (Lincolnshire Live, 2020)

Such incidents serve as a stark reminder that voyeurs and sex offenders do target young people, particularly in shared or student accommodation.

What Could Happen to Compromised Footage

The most distressing aspect of technical surveillance is what happens to the footage. Images or videos captured in private areas such as bedrooms, bathrooms, or changing rooms can be:

• Secretly shared or sold online

• Circulated on the Dark Web or illicit websites

• Used to blackmail or humiliate victims

This is not just a privacy violation — it is a serious criminal offence.

How to Protect Your Privacy in Student Accommodation

While the idea of being watched without your knowledge is deeply unsettling, there are practical steps you can take to protect yourself:

1. Stay alert to your surroundings. Look out for strange objects, unfamiliar lights on devices, or anything that seems out of place.

2. Use free apps that can help detect some tracking devices such as AirTags, AirPods or Bluetooth trackers. Apps like Tracker Detect (Android) and Find My (iOS) can alert you to nearby devices that may be following you.

3. Be careful with shared spaces. If you’re moving into new accommodation, take time to familiarise yourself with the layout and fittings — especially in bedrooms and shared bathrooms or changing spaces.

What to Do If You Discover a Device

If you find or suspect a surveillance device:

1. Do not touch or move it. Leave it exactly where it is.

2. Document it - take evidential footage or photos of the device in situ.

3. Leave the area and call the police immediately — your safety comes first.

4. Do not tell others or post about it online until authorities have assessed the situation; doing so could alert the perpetrator.

5. Contact your university’s safeguarding or security team for support and to ensure others are protected.

6. Report it to SIASS — we can provide expert guidance on securing evidence and understanding what happens next.

Request a Technical Surveillance Awareness Briefing

We strongly encourage students — and universities — to arrange a Technical Surveillance Awareness Briefing from SIASS.

These sessions can be tailored specifically to address privacy in student accommodation and cover:

• How technical surveillance attacks work

• What simple steps you can take to mitigate the risks

• How to detect and respond safely if you suspect a device

• How to preserve evidence for investigation

Knowing what to do — calmly and correctly — is crucial. It helps ensure that the relevant authorities can investigate thoroughly and apprehend those responsible.

Final Thoughts

Privacy is a fundamental right. As you begin your university journey, staying aware and informed is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your peers.

If you’d like your academic institution to arrange a Technical Surveillance Awareness Briefing for students, please contact SIASS via our website at www.siass.org.uk