Voyeurism crimes have become a growing global scourge.
The rampant misuse of surveillance cameras in South Korea, which has become the global epicentre of spy cam crimes, continues to instill fear in women of being filmed without consent in public spaces.
Spycam cases in China are often reported in guesthouses and hotels – which see unsuspecting guests discovering cameras hidden in inconspicuous places like air vents, bedside lamps or within walls.
Online, Chinese social media users weighed in on the new rules. Many welcomed the Apr 1 enforcement.
“This (news) has been a long time coming,” said a user by the handle myluoluo on the Sina Weibo microblogging site, writing on a Weibo topic thread which attracted more than 800,000 comments. “Caseloads shouldn’t be just numbers, many women have been very affected by this and hopefully this will bring about change and action.”
Another hoped that the new rules would be able to further standardise and regulate existing measures in place. “Perpetrators always try to deflect blame or deny their involvement. Now with official rules stating an outright ban, no one can escape criminal activity.”
“I think this is a much needed response that carries a strong message,” said Weibo user Bang Xiao. “That perverts should not be allowed to get away with their crimes and must face the consequences.”
