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

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. Civil Code (民法典) Article 1033 adds another layer: unless the law provides otherwise or the person clearly consents, no one may "enter, film or peep into another person's residence, hotel room or other private space," or "film, peep at, eavesdrop on or disclose another person's private activities" (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 that films only your own home, with everyone in the family knowing, is not prohibited by the provisions; this is inferred from the provisions. A camera that captures a room where a tenant or guest is staying, or films other people's private activities, falls within what the Civil Code prohibits.

Evidence grade

A : Specific numbers from meta-analyses, large cohorts or randomized trials; for law and policy, the statute or official text.

Sources

1. National People's Congress Standing Committee (2025). Public Security Administration Punishments Law [in Chinese] (2025 revision, Article 50). https://www.spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/202506/t20250627_699863.shtml
2. National People's Congress (2020). Criminal Law [in Chinese] (as amended by Amendment XI, Article 284). https://jtgl.beijing.gov.cn/jgj/jgxx/flfg/fl/11033925/index.html
3. Supreme People's Court (2024). Typical Cases of Punishing the Illegal Production, Sale and Use of Eavesdropping and Covert Photography Equipment in Accordance with the Law [in Chinese] (Case 2). https://www.court.gov.cn/shenpan/xiangqing/449581.html
4. National People's Congress (2020). Civil Code [in Chinese] (Articles 1032 and 1033). https://www.spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/202006/t20200602_463888.shtml

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