Cops: They Made Sex Videos —by Hacking 120K Cameras

South Korean authorities have arrested four individuals accused of hacking more than 120,000 internet-connected cameras and using the footage to produce and sell sexually exploitative videos online. Officials say the suspects acted independently, exploiting weak passwords on Internet Protocol (IP) cameras commonly used in homes and businesses to monitor children, pets, or property. The compromised devices were found in a variety of locations, including private homes, a Pilates studio, and even a gynecologist’s clinic, according to the BBC.

One suspect allegedly accessed 63,000 cameras and created over 500 videos, selling them for approximately $12,000 in virtual currency. Another is accused of hacking 70,000 cameras and selling nearly 650 videos for about $6,300. Authorities say these two were responsible for the majority of the illicit videos posted last year on a website dedicated to such content. Three additional suspects, alleged buyers or viewers of the videos, have also been arrested.

Police are collaborating with international agencies to shut down the website and identify its operators. They have begun notifying victims and assisting them in securing their devices. The National Police Agency stressed that illegal filming causes “immense suffering” for victims and warned that even viewing such videos is a serious offense. The agency urged all IP camera users to stay vigilant and regularly update their access passwords, noting that some of the compromised devices had easily guessed passwords, such as repeated letters, according to the Korea Herald.

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