Hong Kong’s privacy watchdog has launched a probe into commercial gym chain 24/7 Fitness after pinhole cameras were discovered in the changing room of a Sha Tin branch.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data. File photo: Peter Lee/HKFP.The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) said on Monday that it had begun a compliance check on 24/7 Fitness and required the company to provide information about its security measures following the pinhole camera discovery.
A staff member at a 24/7 Fitness branch in Sha Tin discovered pinhole cameras mounted on the ceiling in a changing room last month and filed a police report. A 34-year-old man was arrested and charged with voyeurism over the incident.
The PCPD said the probe was intended to “ensure that the personal data privacy of 24/7 FITNESS members is adequately protected,” adding that it would look into whether the security measures implemented by 24/7 Fitness are sufficient to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
A pinhole camera found at a 24/7 Fitness Shatin. Photo: @4_matthew_15 via Threads screenshot.In a statement following the incident, 24/7 Fitness said it had implemented new procedures and stepped up checks across all branches for hidden cameras.
The company said it had inspected the showers, changing rooms, and restrooms “to ensure members can use the facilities safely and with peace of mind.”
It had also suspended the suspect’s membership and assisted with the police investigation, it said.
The branch where pinhole cameras were found is located in Lek Yuen Estate in Sha Tin. 24/7 Fitness operates more than 160 gyms throughout Hong Kong.