Police in Scotland are currently probing videos that allegedly depict members of the public being surreptitiously recorded using Meta smart glasses.
An individual named Scott Margerison is under investigation following the emergence of footage online that seemed to capture unsuspecting individuals, store employees, and ferry personnel being filmed without their consent during a journey across Scotland. Authorities have disclosed that complaints have been lodged, and they are scrutinizing the videos shared by the 42-year-old resident of Rochdale to determine if any legal infractions have occurred.
A representative from Police Scotland stated, “We are in possession of the videos published online and are evaluating the content.” Scott, who is active on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube under the alias E Dobbin, uploaded a series of video snippets documenting his travels in Scotland at the end of June and early July.
The videos purportedly show him approaching members of the public while donning Meta’s smart glasses, engaging with a Sikh shop owner, making inappropriate remarks about young women, and recording aboard a CalMac ferry. In one instance, he engaged in a conversation with a UK-born Sikh shopkeeper of Indian descent on Skye, discussing what he labeled as “forced” diversity in Europe and referencing the Kalergi Plan, a far-right conspiracy theory concerning a scheme to “breed out the white race.”
The shopkeeper, who was managing the store with her teenage daughter, politely conveyed that his comments were somewhat disparaging. Following the encounter, Scott described her as “condescending” in his video commentary and expressed frustration that “they don’t understand.”
The shopkeeper, a long-term Skye resident originally from London, voiced that the interaction with Scott, who is notably tall and imposing, was “100% intimidating” and revealed that she was reduced to tears after discovering a covertly recorded video of the exchange had been uploaded to TikTok by a friend.
Expressing her dismay, she remarked, “You’re made to feel very small when you see a video like this. And it’s sad because everyone in the local community is really nice. This was really upsetting.”
In another video, Scott made suggestive comments about two teenagers upon spotting them while boarding a CalMac ferry before utilizing his Meta glasses to approach the girls and their parents, apparently without their awareness of being filmed. The legality of recording individuals with AI smart glasses hinges on the specific circumstances.
Although individuals generally have a limited expectation of privacy in public spaces, recording could be deemed unlawful if it constitutes harassment or stalking, or if the conduct is deemed likely to instill fear or alarm. Those recorded may also have grounds for legal action if they had a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as in medical treatment areas or changing rooms.
In cases where recordings are created for commercial purposes, including content intended for monetization via social media, data protection regulations may also apply. The incident comes amid escalating concerns over the utilization of AI smart glasses, equipped with discreet cameras capable of capturing video without individuals being aware of being filmed.
A prior account highlighted a woman’s experience where she was informed that removing a covertly recorded video of herself would necessitate a payment. A campaign group previously conveyed concerns over the potential misuse of Meta and Rayban’s AI glasses for clandestine recording, particularly for exploitative purposes.
Singer Lorde also criticized the glasses during a performance, cautioning against their adoption and emphasizing the increasing challenge of discerning reality in the modern world.