Controversial clothes hook spy cameras for sale on Amazon

Amazon, the online retail behemoth, is currently selling spy cameras disguised as clothes hooks. This is despite the fact that the company is facing a lawsuit over these devices. The BBC has reported seeing a listing for one such camera, featuring an image of the device installed in a bathroom. A judge in the United States recently ruled that Amazon must face a lawsuit brought by a woman who alleges she was secretly filmed in a bathroom using a clothes hook camera purchased from Amazon. A privacy expert has suggested that misuse of these devices could potentially violate British laws. Amazon has declined to comment on the matter.

The lawsuit against Amazon was initiated by a foreign exchange student who aspires to be an actress. She alleges that while she was still a minor and residing in a West Virginia home, she was covertly recorded in the bathroom using a camera disguised as a clothes hook, which she claims was purchased on Amazon. The man alleged to have been responsible for this is currently facing trial. Her complaint to a United States District Court includes a note that the Amazon listing from which the camera was allegedly purchased featured an image of it being used to hang towels, accompanied by the phrase 'it won't attract attention'. The complaint further alleges that Amazon should have foreseen the misuse of the camera and seeks punitive damages against Amazon Inc, Amazon. com Services LLC, and other unnamed defendants. Amazon recently attempted, unsuccessfully, to have the case dismissed, arguing, in layman's terms, that it wasn't responsible for how the camera was used.

The BBC conducted a search for similar cameras on Amazon. co. uk and found several listings. One clothes hook camera product description showed it positioned over a bath, another image showed it beside a bed. Another clothes hook camera has an illustration showing it positioned in a bedroom, and separately in a section displaying potential uses, has an image of a couple arguing with the text 'cheating' superimposed. There are other cameras for sale on the site, including a 'bathroom spy camera' disguised as a shower radio. This particular camera has no reviews and rather implausibly suggests it might be of use to the CIA, raising questions about how such a listing can remain on Amazon. Many of the cameras stress their usefulness in monitoring children or for security but experts warn misuse of the cameras could break a number of UK laws.