Meta shuts down TikToker over secret glasses filming

Meta has shut down the accounts of TikToker Scott Margerison and says it is "actively investigating" his use of the company's smart glasses after he secretly filmed members of the public, shop workers and ferry staff during a road trip through Scotland.

Scotland Police confirmed it has received complaints and is reviewing the footage to determine whether any criminality occurred.

Using the online handle E. Dobbin, Margerison, aged 42, undertook tours of Dunoon, Glencoe, Skye and the Outer Hebrides during late June and early July when he would approach unknown people and film interactions.

Some of the videos include inappropriate remarks made about teenagers seen from his van and an interaction with a Sikh shopkeeper on the Kalergi plan conspiracy theory.

The shopkeeper, who has been living on Skye for 20 years now, told BBC Scotland that she felt "100% intimidated" by the interaction and burst into tears knowing that the video was up online. The man has also been seen chasing a young couple around a supermarket after a dispute.

Margerison has taken footage of the bridge of CalMac's ferry MV Loch Seaforth even after having been warned beforehand not to do so, and therefore, the firm has suspended the popular bridge tour programme. Margerison has had an argument with a CalMac employee over a booking issue.

Is secretly filming strangers illegal?

However, legally, there are two sides to the story. Individuals tend not to enjoy great privacy in public areas, but recording activities can be considered an illegal activity if it turns into harassment and has the potential to induce fear.

The makers of Meta claim that the glasses contain a non-removable recording light; however, Meta has recently issued an obligatory update due to the fact that users had found ways to turn it off. Additionally, Margerison has previously secretly recorded people attending Comic Con, which is why Meta glasses are now banned by UK convention organiser Monopoly Events.