Bengaluru woman finds hidden camera at Third Wave Coffee outlet’s toilet, accused staffer sacked
A smartphone was discovered recording video in the washroom of a popular coffee chain, Third Wave Coffee, in Bengaluru, with the camera hidden in a dustbin.
In a disturbing incident at a popular coffee chain, Third Wave Coffee, in Bengaluru, a hidden camera was allegedly discovered in the washroom on Saturday morning, according to an eyewitness. A smartphone was allegedly placed in the dustbin of the washroom by an employee. *The man has now been terminated, Hindustan Times has learnt.*
A social media post by the eyewitness said a woman found the smartphone that was allegedly recording videos for approximately two hours at that point, with its camera positioned to face the toilet seat. The incident roused deep concerns on privacy and safety, with the coffee chain assuring that they have initiated legal action against the employee in question.
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“The safety and well-being of our customers is always our priority. With regards to the isolated incident that occurred at BEL Road Cafe on August 10, the person under question has been immediately terminated. We have a stringent zero tolerance policy and have initiated necessary legal action against him. We will work closely with the concerned authorities for appropriate action,” the chain told Hindustan Times.
Here's how the disturbing incident unfolded:
The smartphone was placed in flight mode so it would not make any noise, and the dustbin bag had a hole cut out specifically for the camera so that the rest of the phone was not visible, according to the social media post by the eyewitness.
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“A woman found a phone in the washroom, hidden in the dustbin, with video recording on for about 2 hours, facing the toilet seat. It was on flight mode so that it makes no sound, and was carefully hidden in the dustbin bag which had a hole made in it so that only the camera is exposed,” the witness, a woman who runs a popular cinephile Instagram account, wrote on the platform.
Upon discovering the phone, the woman alerted the café staff, who then identified the device as belonging to one of their employees. The incident was promptly reported to the police, who arrived quickly at the scene. Authorities are currently investigating the matter and taking appropriate action.
“It was quickly found that the phone belongs to one of the men working there. The police was called and they arrived soon enough, and action is being taken. This was so horrific to witness. I will be vigilant at any washroom I use from now on, no matter how well-known the chain of cafe or restaurant is. And I request all of you to do the same. This is absolutely disgusting,” she wrote.
“It can happen anywhere with any chain of cafes or restaurants, and even bars where people are not too much in their senses when they use washrooms. It's not just trial rooms and hotel rooms where we need to watch out for hidden cams. Keep this in mind. The world is a sick place,” she added.