Is the camera in the room with us right now?

From Rockwell's "Somebody's Watching Me" to The Police's "Every Breath You Take," surveillance paranoia was all over the charts in the 1980s.

So, it's surprising that we don't have more current hits about being watched, given how many devices in our homes are keen on recording every breath we take.

From toothbrushes to toilet seats, cameras and microphones are popping up in unexpected places around the house — but should they be? While smart home appliances promise convenience and health benefits, they also pose potential privacy and security risks.

Outdoor cameras have become commonplace outside — and not without controversy — but they're also increasingly inside the home. A recent report by SafeHome.org found:

• 61% of US households have at least one security camera — an increase from 52% in 2024.
• 30% of homes have indoor cameras, up from 24% in 2023.
• 37% worry about who might access their footage, and 23% feel uneasy about how much technology watches their home, but 87% say it gives them peace of mind.

Big Brother... in the bathroom?

Installing cameras around the house for security, or to see what mischief your furry friend is up to, is one thing — but cameras in the bathroom?

• Dyson's new $499 toothbrush uses a tiny camera to target food bits with its "precision flosser." The company says the camera is for short-range vision only and that its app deletes images after viewing.
• Startup Throne Science offers a clip-on smart camera for your toilet ($399+) that scans your, um, activity with AI-powered sensors. Designed to track stool consistency and hydration, the device is one of several aimed at... where you aim.
• The DJI Romo robot vacuum (~$1.5k) features a camera and microphone, but raised red flags for poor security after someone remotely accessed thousands of them. A new version aims to address security flaws.
• Samsung's new Infinite AI Wine Refrigerator ($4.3k) keeps tabs on which bottles you add to your collection — hopefully without judgment.
• Camera-equipped smart fridges that remind you when you're running low on cheese and White Claws are increasingly showing up in kitchens.

Capitol Hill has taken note — a bipartisan "Spy Fridge" bill aims to require manufacturers to clarify which appliances have cameras and microphones.

Not a fan of being recorded? You could try a microphone jammer or camera detector.

Or just crank your playlist of songs about being watched.