Concerns Mount Over Unconsented Filming in Shops
A leading union for shop workers has voiced growing concerns regarding members of the public filming retail staff without their explicit knowledge or consent. This issue has gained prominence following an incident involving former television presenter Michael Barrymore, whose popular TikTok and YouTube videos, often filmed using smart glasses, featured a sales assistant who was unaware he was being recorded.
Michael Barrymore, widely known for his social media presence, frequently uses a small, built-in camera on his smart glasses to capture everyday activities, including shopping trips and interactions. While the encounter with the staff member in question was described as good-natured, Jayne Allport from the union Usdaw highlighted that many filmed interactions can escalate and become a source of significant distress for workers.
Legal and Ethical Implications
Although filming in shops with smart glasses may not always constitute a criminal offense, such actions can breach data protection regulations. Unlike public spaces, retail establishments are considered private premises where permission should ideally be sought before filming or photography. Retail staff generally have a reasonable expectation of privacy while at work, and their consent for any use of their image should be obtained prior to sharing.
Allport emphasized that some retail employees may have serious personal reasons for wanting their location or occupation to remain private. She cited examples of individuals who might have escaped abusive relationships or violent pasts and do not wish their whereabouts to be publicly disclosed. Unconsented filming, she stated, can be a significant invasion of privacy and negatively impact the mental well-being of workers.
A Worker's Perspective
An anonymous sales assistant, who appeared in one of Barrymore's videos, shared his experience with the BBC. He only discovered he had been filmed several days later when a customer informed him. While he personally wasn't overly bothered, he acknowledged the serious implications for others. He underscored that had he been in a vulnerable situation, such as fleeing an abusive relationship, the public dissemination of his workplace and general location would have caused immense concern.
He expressed that he likely wouldn't have objected to being filmed if he had been asked beforehand, stressing the importance of common courtesy. The incident has contributed to an ongoing debate about the ethical use of smart glasses, millions of which have been sold by major tech companies, with Meta's Ray-Ban glasses being particularly popular.
Union Advocates for Permission
Usdaw advises individuals, including social media content creators, to always seek permission from staff and management before filming within a store. Allport suggested that a brief conversation explaining the intent to film would likely result in many staff members agreeing, but stressed that the decision should always rest with the individual being filmed. She also highlighted instances where disgruntled customers film heated confrontations with staff, uploading them to social media to embarrass the retailer, which can be devastating for the employees involved.
Source: Michael Barrymore TikTok videos prompt concern over filming on smart glasses