A Third Wave Coffee outlet in Bengaluru has found itself in hot water after an employee was discovered filming customers within the washroom. The incident, which took place at the BEL Road Cafe on August 10th, involved a smartphone discreetly hidden inside a dustbin with its camera strategically positioned to capture footage of the toilet seat. The shocking discovery came to light when a woman using the washroom noticed the phone and alerted the cafe staff.
Upon investigation, the phone was identified as belonging to one of the cafe’s employees. The phone had been placed on flight mode to ensure it remained silent and was concealed within the dustbin bag, with a strategically placed hole allowing the camera to record. Reports suggest that the camera had been recording for approximately two hours before it was discovered.
The coffee chain reacted swiftly, immediately terminating the employee and initiating legal action against him. Third Wave Coffee, in a statement to Hindustan Times, affirmed their zero-tolerance policy and pledged to work closely with authorities to ensure appropriate action is taken.
This incident echoes a similar case from a few weeks prior, where a spy camera was found in a changing room in Ghaziabad. The room, lacking a roof, was used mainly by individuals offering prayers at a nearby temple after bathing in the Muradnagar Ganga canal. A case was filed against a priest who was alleged to have watched footage from the camera on his mobile phone. This incident came to light when a woman noticed the CCTV camera pointed at the roofless bathroom and questioned the temple priest. His response was reportedly abusive and threatening, warning her against disclosing the presence of the camera.
Both these incidents raise serious concerns about privacy violations and highlight the importance of vigilance in public spaces. As investigations into both cases continue, the incidents serve as stark reminders of the potential for misuse of technology and the need for robust security measures to protect the privacy of individuals.
