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Don't secretly film other people, and don't install cameras in rental rooms, guesthouse rooms or hotel rooms

  • Top value
  • Evidence A
  • Keeps you free
  • Free
  • Takes minutes
  • No willpower

In plain words

Secretly filming, peeping at or spreading other people's private matters brings detention of up to 5 days (拘留) or a fine of up to 1,000 CNY, and detention of 5 to 10 days in more serious cases. Using special equipment for secret filming and causing serious consequences brings up to 2 years. Two people installed equipment in rooms in three hotels to film remotely, and were sentenced to 1 year 3 months and 1 year. A camera at your own home doesn't count, but one in a room someone else stays in does.

Cost

Free, and it takes no time. Don't secretly film anyone, and don't install cameras in rental rooms, guesthouse rooms or hotel rooms.

What you get

Peeping, secretly filming, eavesdropping or spreading other people's private matters brings detention of up to 5 days (拘留) or a fine of up to 1,000 CNY. In more serious cases, detention of 5 to 10 days and a further fine of up to 1,000 CNY. Illegally using special equipment for eavesdropping or secret filming and causing serious consequences brings up to 2 years. Special equipment for eavesdropping and secret filming means devices made specifically for listening in or secretly filming. Official case: Yan Mouping (颜某平) and Yan Mojian (颜某建) bought secret-filming equipment online, installed it in several rooms in three hotels and filmed remotely, and were sentenced to 1 year 3 months and 1 year (China)

Notes

Once what was filmed is sold or spread, it is handled separately as a crime such as making or selling obscene material for profit, and in the same batch of cases one sentence was 10 years. A camera at your own home doesn't count, but one in a room used by other people does.

Evidence grade
A : Specific numbers from meta-analyses, large cohorts or randomized trials; for law and policy, the statute or official text.
Sources
  1. 全国人大常委会 (2025). 治安管理处罚法（2025 年修订，第五十条）. https://www.spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/202506/t20250627_699863.shtml
  2. 全国人大 (2020). 刑法（根据刑法修正案（十一）修正，第二百八十四条）. https://jtgl.beijing.gov.cn/jgj/jgxx/flfg/fl/11033925/index.html
  3. 最高人民法院 (2024). 依法惩治非法生产、销售、使用窃听、窃照设备犯罪典型案例（案例二）. https://www.court.gov.cn/shenpan/xiangqing/449581.html

Translated from the Chinese original. Original book, section 9, tip 12. This section describes legal rules, mostly mainland China’s. It is general information, not legal advice; for your own case, talk to a lawyer. Content may be out of date and rules differ by place. When you actually deal with an agency, a doctor or a court, follow what local officials, doctors and lawyers tell you. Disclaimer