Particle.news
Download on the App Store

UK to Introduce Laws Targeting Covert Intimate-Image Capture After Smart-Glasses Case

Rising reports of women filmed in public without consent are driving pressure on tech companies.

Overview

  • A woman in Manchester says a stranger admitted he filmed her using Meta smart glasses and claimed to post similar encounters to social media to boost men's confidence.
  • She later found dozens of comparable clips on his TikTok, reflecting a trend that draws misogynistic comments and potential monetisation.
  • TikTok said it had taken enforcement action against the account after being contacted by The Independent.
  • Meta said its glasses use a recording LED and tamper detection and stated it is concerned about misuse despite built-in safeguards and rules against harmful behavior.
  • UK safeguarding minister Jess Phillips condemned covert filming and pledged legislation to criminalise taking intimate images or installing equipment to capture them without consent, noting current public-space recording is generally lawful.