Teddy cam
A TeddyCam is a system of concealed surveillance technology in the form of a teddy bear .
technology
A video camera and usually also a microphone are hidden in the teddy bear's typical appearance . The microphone and antenna are housed inside the stuffed animal, the camera is integrated into the nose or eyes. The signal is transmitted wirelessly in the frequency range of 2.4 GHz. The possible range of the system in buildings is up to 100 meters. The receivers often offer the possibility of processing up to five different signals.
Legal position
In Germany teddy cams are considered to be transmission systems in terms of the Telecommunications Act (TKG). The Telecommunications Act forbids "owning, manufacturing, selling, importing [...] transmitters whose shape simulates another object or which are disguised with objects of everyday use and which are particularly suitable due to these circumstances, which is not to listen to someone else's publicly spoken word unnoticed by him or to take someone else's picture unnoticed ”( Section 90 (1) TKG). The mere possession of a teddy cam is therefore prohibited. Anyone who deliberately violates this prohibition will be punished with imprisonment for up to two years or a fine ( Section 148 (1) TKG).
criticism
The paragraph has not been undisputed since the introduction of smartphones. Thanks to the built-in inconspicuous cameras, they also have the option of transmitting video and audio via cellular network.
commitment
Corresponding systems are advertised for monitoring babies and young children and sold on the Internet.
After a home shopping channel had sold corresponding systems in the spring of 2006 , in the fourth quarter it asked buyers to return them for a refund of the purchase price. Around 90 percent of the buyers followed the request, the public prosecutor initiated investigations against the rest based on the station's customer list.