It has recently been revealed that videos of South Koreans’ private lives, captured through Chinese-made IP cameras, are being distributed across pornographic websites in China.
These videos are suspected to have been leaked through security vulnerabilities in the cameras. Among the footage, one can find deeply invasive videos taken in private homes, living rooms, maternity wards, changing rooms, swimming pools, and massage parlors—places where people are naturally exposed.
Even a video that sparked controversy in South Korea last year, showing patients, including celebrities, changing clothes in a Seoul plastic surgery clinic, has surfaced on these websites. On one Chinese site, videos labeled as ‘Koreans’ make up the largest category in their country-specific sections. This raises serious concerns that people’s everyday lives are unknowingly being exploited.
Chinese-made IP cameras account for around 80% of those used in private homes, commercial spaces, and public facilities for security purposes in S. Korea. It’s widely reported that some of these devices have technology called ‘backdoors’ installed by manufacturers—covert access mechanisms that allow them to extract user data without the user realizing.
However, most users buy these inexpensive Chinese IP cameras directly from overseas sellers, which leaves them outside the reach of government regulations. Even Chinese-made robotic vacuum cleaners, which dominate the domestic market, are equipped with IP cameras. For these reasons, IT media outlets from the United States have warned that these devices could be hacked and used to spy on users, turning them into potential sources of leaked personal information.
Unlike CCTV systems, which are typically isolated from external networks, IP cameras rely on internet connections, making them far more vulnerable to hacking. Despite this increased risk, security awareness in S. Korea—among the government, industry, and users—remains insufficient. In fact, a survey revealed that 65% of companies using IP cameras perceive no significant difference in the likelihood of data leaks between domestic and Chinese-made products.
Countries like the U.S., the UK, and Australia have already taken action to restrict Chinese-made video security equipment over security concerns. In 2022, the Biden administration imposed a total ban on importing Chinese video security equipment. The UK and Australia have also begun removing Chinese devices from key facilities.
In S. Korea, more than 1,300 Chinese-made security cameras were discovered in military installations, and plans are underway to gradually remove them. However, the issue extends beyond the military, as Chinese IP cameras are widely used in homes and commercial establishments, making it urgent to address their potential security risks.
To address this issue, the S. Korean government needs to conduct thorough inspections of the security risks posed by Chinese-made IP cameras and other electronic devices equipped with these cameras. In addition, raising public awareness about the dangers of hacking and the methods to prevent it is crucial.
While completely eliminating the risk of hacking may be impossible as long as devices are connected to the internet, users can still take basic precautions. For example, a simple but important step is to change the default usernames and passwords when setting up the device. Ultimately, increased vigilance is key to safeguarding the nation’s privacy.
