In September 2025, a longstanding rumor resurfaced online, alleging that Sony recalled 700,000 camcorders in 1998 because they could "see through" people's clothing.
For instance, a Sept. 14, 2025, Facebook post (archived) with the claim received over 18,000 reactions, reading:
In 1998, Sony faced an unusual controversy when it accidentally released around 700,000 camcorders equipped with a feature that could see through clothing under certain conditions. The device, called the Sony Handycam CCD-TRV65, was designed with an infrared "Night Vision" function to help users record in low light or complete darkness. However, when used in daylight with an infrared filter, the camcorder could see through certain materials like swimsuits and thin fabrics, creating an effect that looked like X-ray vision. This unexpected capability caused a media storm. Privacy advocates and parents were alarmed, fearing misuse by people with bad intentions. What was supposed to be a clever marketing feature for nighttime recording suddenly turned into a potential scandal. Sony quickly recalled the camcorders and discontinued the feature to avoid further controversy. The incident remains a fascinating example of how technology can have unintended consequences. While Sony had no malicious intent, the camcorders sparked debates about surveillance, ethics, and consumer responsibility. Today, the story is often remembered as a quirky piece of tech history. an accident that blurred the line between innovation and invasion of privacy. It also serves as a reminder that even advanced tools can create risks if not carefully tested.
The story has long circulated on Instagram and Facebook, as well as Reddit, Threads, X and TikTok.
In short, the posts included elements of accurate and false information.
It's true that, in 1998, Sony released its "NightShot" camcorder — which, under certain circumstances (for instance, if the subjects wore very thin fabrics) and with the use of a special filter, could detect and display the outlines of some people's bodies underneath their clothes. However, there was no evidence to confirm the claim that 700,000 of the camcorders were immediately recalled after the unintended feature was discovered by users. Instead, Sony announced it had halted shipment of remaining unsold devices until modifications could be made.
Here's what happened
We found several news articles from 1998 discussing the camcorder's controversial feature.
For instance, in August 1998, The Washington Post published an article titled "UNDRESSED IN A FLASH? CAMERA MAY TAKE REVEALING PORTRAITS." It reported that Sony halted shipments of its Handycam video cameras after a Japanese magazine revealed "the cameras' infrared 'Nightshot' feature, intended to capture nighttime images such as sleeping babies and nocturnal animals, may have [...] the ability to see through clothing." The article stated modified models would "not allow use of the function in daylight, but many original versions [were] still on the shelves at local stores."
Steve Uhrig, president of SWS Security, a Maryland company that manufactures surveillance systems for government agencies, said in an interview with the Post that "under precise conditions, you'll think you'll see something but you won't." He added that "infrared rays can penetrate through lightly woven clothing and reflect back, but not in real detail. You'll see something big and dense on the other side of the clothing. It's the same illusion as X-ray specs."
The article read (emphasis added):
Sony first discovered its product's potential when Takarajima, a popular Japanese men's magazine, reported in July that the camera, in conjunction with an inexpensive filter and specific circumstances -- such as a subject with tight, light clothing -- enables viewers to see underwear or peek under swimsuits when the Nightshot feature is activated.
Sony officials cautiously acknowledge that there may be some truth to that. "Engineers in Japan tried to replicate what was done in the news story," said Sony spokesperson Dulcie Neiman. "In some very special circumstances -- depending on the daylight, the type of clothing, the texture, the color, the thickness, how much clothing is worn, the distance of the person to the camera -- that reported capability could be replicated."
The New York Times published an article on the rumor in December 1998 in which it claimed that it "had only the tiniest grain of truth." The article read, "[In] skilled hands, during the day, under just the right conditions, with just the right (gauzy) fabrics, it might be possible to produce an image of a body beneath. The camera could not, of course, see through clothes, and there was no recall."
The article continued:
Sony was only slightly embarrassed; what the company had in mind with the No Lux feature, its news release said, was ''to record nighttime activities, such as a new baby sleeping.'' Though 400,000 units had been sold, Sony modified the infrared transmitters on new cameras to remove even the remotest possibility of intrusive videotaping.
A CNN Money (currently known as CNN Business) article from August 1998 with the title "Sony's naked cam scam?" explained that the claim about the camcorder's ability to "be used for filming more of their subjects than meets the eye" seemed to be "based more on titillation than substance." It underscored that Sony said the camera's night vision was offered for the purpose of photographing wildlife at night and other nocturnal scenes. It also said Sony confirmed that "with a special lens, and very particular circumstances, its NightShot cameras appear to see through clothing."
The article read:
In bright sunlight, with that "special" lens, the infrared camera didn't reveal anything the naked eye couldn't see.
"It was nothing," said Steve McFradden, a B&H sales associate. "It was intended to see in the dark, not see through clothes."
CNN also reported that "Sony has modified its NightShot camera, but has no plans to recall the roughly 400,000 units already shipped to the U.S."
We found a video published by The Associated Press titled "JAPAN: SONY VIDEO CAMERA TURNS OUT TO HAVE X-RAY VISION." Its description stated that "the camera - with the aid of an inexpensive filter - can see through people's clothing," adding that Sony says it has stripped the special feature off new versions of the camera.
Similarly to other news reports at the time, the article said Sony found out about its product's potential from an article in Takarajima, Japan's biggest selling men's magazine:
The magazine reported that a filter costing less than seven U-S dollars enables Handycam users to look beneath certain kinds of clothing during the daytime when the camera's \"night shot\" mode is activated.
The article was accompanied by a dozen photos it said were taken with the camera using different colours of clothing, wet and dry, on women models.
Sony had no plans to recall camcorders, spokeswoman Dolcy Nyman said in an interview with Wired. "Any television station has the equipment that can duplicate this effect, as does anyone who has a professional camcorder," Randall Herron, a photography equipment salesman who specialized in surveillance and infrared video equipment, told Wired. "Any sheer blouse or clothing, if you hit it with enough light, you're gonna get a silhouette of what's underneath; and that's essentially all you get with these Sony camcorders."
That article reported Sony said it altered the NightShot feature so it couldn't be turned on when ambient light levels are high enough to make the feature unnecessary. "The new cameras will only show a blank white screen when NightShot is enabled in daylight," it reported.
Phil Petescia, who worked as marketing manager at Sony for Handycam in 1998, confirmed via email in 2024 that Sony did not recall the cameras:
We did not recall the cameras. They could record through thin black clothing if the person was wearing white underwear (or had very light skin) under certain settings enhanced by an additional lens. I went to Macy's in Paramus and bought every black bathing suit they had and we tested it.
We halted shipments while a rework was done, preventing that setting. However, we stopped a TV commercial we had recorded (still floating around on the internet) of someone sneaking up in the dark of a cat and dog amorously embracing. We felt it was a bit too risky. Breck Eisner, Michael's son, directed that commercial.
In February 2024, we investigated a similar claim about the U.S. Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) full-body imaging machines supposedly showing a person's private parts whenever they "walk through the X-ray scanner."