By Dan Sodergren – Future of Work Speaker and Tech Futurist Speaker On AI
I was back on the radio this week, talking about something that doesn’t get anywhere near enough attention. Hidden surveillance devices. Sounds niche, right? But it’s not. It’s becoming an everyday issue. You can now pick up a covert camera for less than the price of lunch. Disguised as a USB charger. A smoke detector. Even a clock on the wall.
And that should worry all of us.
As someone who works in AI, tech, and the future of work, this is exactly the kind of problem we need to take seriously. It’s not just about dodgy gadgets. It’s about ethics. Power. And the systems we’re building in The Fifth Industrial Revolution—the one where humans and machines work side-by-side.
So yes, this is about cameras. But it’s also about control. And what happens when our laws, policies, and values don’t keep up with our tech.
🧱 Cheap. Easy. Largely Unchecked.
On air, I shared just how easy it is to get hold of these things. We're talking about devices that look harmless, cost under £10, and arrive in your post the next day. Most of them are marketed as home security. Fair enough. But let’s be real — a huge number are used to monitor people without their knowledge. That’s a huge privacy issue.
Emma Pickering from Refuge joined me. She sees this up close, especially in domestic abuse cases. It’s not paranoia — it’s real. These tools are being used to control people in their own homes. And the scary part is, it’s all perfectly legal.
I’ve worked in this space as an AI expert and technology commentator for years. And if we don’t start drawing ethical lines now, we’re going to end up normalising surveillance in all the wrong ways.
👀 Privacy vs Security: Let’s Be Honest
There’s always this argument about “security.” People say they’re using these hidden devices to protect property or monitor pets. Maybe a few are. But there are better, more transparent tools out there. Doorbell cameras. Outdoor CCTV. Visible alarms.
As I said on air — real security doesn’t need to hide. Hidden surveillance, by its very nature, is about power, not protection.
I make this point a lot in my Future of Work keynotes: just because a tool exists doesn’t mean we should use it without limits. And just because something is legal doesn’t make it ethical.
🏛️ The Policy Gap
This isn’t just a tech issue. It’s political and economic too. These devices are mass-produced, shipped in bulk, and sold online with zero checks. We’ve created a situation where the tools of surveillance are cheap, accessible, and unregulated.
And the UK isn’t ready for it.
That’s why I pushed for real, practical solutions:
- Register the devices.
- Keep a list of buyers.
- Add a tax or levy to slow down casual use.
- Educate people about the legal risks.
We already regulate drones and knives. Why not hidden cameras?
This is exactly the kind of thing I focus on as a Fifth Industrial Revolution corporate speaker — how regulation and ethics need to evolve with tech. We can’t let affordability and availability drive policy. It should be the other way round.
🤖 Why It Matters for the Future of Work
At first glance, this might not seem connected to the future of work or AI. But it is. Completely. Because what we’re really talking about is trust — between employees and employers, citizens and the state, people and the tech they use every day.
We're now entering a phase where AI agents can act on our behalf, track behaviour, and learn from our environments. If we can’t even handle hidden cameras ethically, how will we manage fully autonomous AI systems?
That’s why, when I deliver a Fifth Industrial Revolution keynote or speak as an AI thought leader, I always bring it back to one thing: ethics must be baked into the system. Not added as an afterthought.
🧠 What Needs to Change
This isn’t a small issue. It’s systemic. Here’s what needs to happen:
- Tech companies need to be held accountable for what they sell.
- Governments need to update laws that were written before this tech existed.
- And the public needs to be informed enough to push back.
Privacy isn’t a luxury. It’s a basic human right. And if we let these devices spread unchecked, we don’t just risk our data—we risk the very fabric of trust in society.
🔚 Final Word
As someone who works across AI, ethics, and innovation, I’m saying this clearly: We need to regulate hidden surveillance now. This is the Fifth Industrial Revolution, not the Wild West.
If we don’t set the rules, the tech will do it for us. And trust me — that’s not a future we want to live or work in.
Dan Sodergren is a Future of Work Expert for Hire, Tech Futurist Speaker, and AI Thought Leader. He delivers keynotes on AI, digital transformation, and the ethical challenges of The Fifth Industrial Revolution.
Find out more at www.dansodergren.com