New taipei: Two individuals have been detained and prohibited from making contact in connection with a case involving an alleged hidden camera discovered at the Dr. Shine cosmetic clinic chain, as announced by the New Taipei District Court.
According to Focus Taiwan, a manager named Chen and an equipment engineer named Tang are under suspicion for violating laws concerning the clandestine filming of sexual images, recording private body parts without consent, offenses related to personal data protection, and the attempted production of sexual images involving minors.
The court identified the two as suspects on Saturday, following their interrogation by prosecutors. They are deemed a flight risk, with concerns that they might destroy evidence or conspire with accomplices and witnesses. Consequently, the court sanctioned a request from prosecutors to detain both men incommunicado.
The investigation commenced after police received a report early Friday about hidden cameras at a Dr. Shine branch in Banqiao District. The complainant pressed charges citing privacy and sexual privacy violations.
Prosecutors, police, and health officials subsequently searched five clinic branches in New Taipei, including those located in Banqiao, Sanxia, Sanchong, and Xinzhuang districts.
Investigators reported discovering a smoke detector on the ceiling at the Banqiao branch, along with power and video cables suspected to be linked to surveillance equipment. Hard drives and membership records were confiscated as part of the investigation.
On Friday, the clinic expressed its seriousness regarding the allegations and initiated an internal review, pledging full cooperation with authorities as the investigation progresses.
In a statement, the clinic clarified that the surveillance equipment was solely installed to “ensure medical quality, maintain on-site safety and public order, and protect medications and equipment,” emphasizing that there was no intent to deliberately conceal the devices or infringe on customer privacy.
Additionally, on Saturday, the Saint Eir Clinic issued a statement after a patient reported suspected unauthorized filming during treatment. According to police in Taipei, cameras were found openly installed in consultation and treatment areas, and the case has been referred to prosecutors for further investigation.
The clinic stated that audio and video recordings are conducted only with written consent from patients prior to treatment sessions, with recordings retained for one month post-treatment.
These recent incidents have heightened public concern over surveillance practices at cosmetic clinics, following an earlier discovery of a hidden camera disguised as a smoke detector at an Airlee Group Co., Ltd. branch in Banqiao.
Taiwan Medical Association President Chen Hsiang-kuo commented that some clinics install cameras in work areas for self-protection. However, the Ministry of Health and Welfare emphasized on Saturday that recording in highly private medical spaces without prior patient consent is illegal.