When I was fourteen, I spent the night at a friend’s house. Her parents, particularly her father, rarely spoke. At two a.m., I discovered a hidden camera in the room. I panicked and tossed a blanket over it.

Two minutes later, her father stormed in, saying, “Idiot!” That’s a surveillance camera—I use it to watch the street!” I felt completely ashamed. Apparently, the street they resided on was known for being dangerous, and he was very cautious of his brand-new car.

He continuously observed the street, and the camera was only installed in his daughter’s room because it provided direct access to the balcony where the cables flowed. When I covered the lens, the system sent an alert to his phone, waking him up with alarm. I felt humiliated. Needless to say, I never returned to their place again.