You’re being watched

Spy gadgets are increasingly being put to use by employers and spouses in order to keep watch.

Sorry, but your privacy has been compromised. You might as well get used to it. With spy gadgets keeping an eye on you from the most unexpected corners of your surroundings, it is likely that every move you make — at the work place, while hanging out or even taking a walk — is being monitored.

The third eye
"Everyone seems to be wanting security surveillance systems installed," says the owner of one of Delhi's leading security solutions firm, unwilling to disclose the name. Until a few years ago, security cameras were limited to public places like banks. But, the recent spate of terrorist attacks, especially the cases in which cameras have provided vital links, have changed things. "Staff ke upar nazar rakhni ho ya fir gharelu jhagde ke liye ho, sab ke liye saamaan hai [whether one wants to keep an eye on his employees or something related to marital discords, you'll get a gadget for every need]," he says.

E-motional atyachaar
Remember a frantic Will Smith trying to dodge past the nation's security system in The Enemy of State? Or even closer home, a TV reality show completely based on spying on your partner — no one trusts anyone now. "While I get corporates wanting to spy on their employees, there's an equal percentage of suspicious individuals spying on their spouses," says 'ethical hacker' Ankit Fadia.

"These gadgets have particularly become popular among couples seeking a divorce," says advocate Snehasish Gupta. And though it's a norm in every organisation now, not everyone likes being watched. "I was taken aback when I received a mail from my boss stating that I was wasting time during office hours. I never knew I was under surveillance without my knowledge," says sales executive Paresh Singhi. "Ironically, it was my boss who joined a new company three weeks later."

Mobile jammers: This gadget is used to nullify mobile network coverage within 10-12 metres of its range. Used mostly in conference halls and high security zones.

e-surveillance: While military e-surveillance means keeping a watch on an enemy country's Internet operations and satellite activities, employers monitor the activities of their staff as well. "Employers are wary whether people are working or wasting time," says Ankit Fadia.

Watch out for these spy gadgets

Looking just like any other car key, this one has a tiny camera that can record for two hours
Cost: R 2500

Hi-Resolution pen cameras have a real time voice and video recorder. The latest ones have an 8GB memory
Cost: R 1,000 - 50,00

The SIM card activated GSM Spy Ear Bugs are 1x1 inch in size and let you monitor conversations anywhere
Cost: R 2,500-5,000

Impossible to detect the camera, this table clock is a great spying tool
Cost: R2,000-4,000