A woman has raised alarm after discovering footage of herself recorded without her consent at an airport. Lauren Britt, 28, from Tampa, Florida, shared her experience to highlight the “creepy” nature of how women can be secretly filmed using modern technology. The incident occurred while she was waiting to board a flight to Boston, where an unknown man approached her for a brief conversation. What seemed like a harmless interaction took a disturbing turn when Britt later found out that the conversation had been recorded and shared online.
Britt’s brother spotted the video circulating on Instagram, prompting her to reveal how easily the man captured the footage. In a follow-up video on TikTok, she stated, “Here I am, minding my business at the airport, and this guy starts to talk to me.”
The incident highlights growing concerns about privacy violations linked to advanced technology. The first glasses equipped with cameras were introduced in 2012, but it has taken over a decade for such devices to become widely available. In March 2024, Meta launched its Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, designed to assist low-vision users. These glasses come with built-in cameras, microphones, and speakers, raising questions about their potential misuse.
Britt expressed her discomfort in the TikTok video, asking, “Is that creepy? He never asked.” Her sentiments resonate with many women who feel increasingly vulnerable in public spaces. The discreet nature of these glasses has sparked fears that men may exploit this technology to film women without their knowledge.
The concern is not isolated to Britt. Earlier this year, a woman in Sydney reported a similar experience involving a US content creator using the same type of glasses. The glasses retail for approximately $799 and allow for discreet recording. She described her experience as “violating and disgusting” when the footage was shared with his 1.3 million followers on Instagram.
In Australia, laws regarding surveillance devices vary by state and territory. Under the Surveillance Devices Act in New South Wales, recording conversations without the consent of all parties can result in a penalty of up to five years in prison. However, the legal landscape becomes more complex when such interactions take place in public settings like airports.
The rise of this technology has prompted a public outcry. On Britt’s TikTok post, viewers expressed their alarm, with comments reflecting a shared sense of unease: “Why are these even a thing?” and “That’s such an invasion of privacy.” One user remarked, “The glasses are more scary than AI right now,” illustrating the widespread anxiety surrounding the implications of such devices.
In a related case, a US TikToker known as @itspolokid faced scrutiny for filming women at Australian beaches without their consent. Although he was reported to local police, no charges were filed against him. His actions, while presented as compliments, have drawn significant criticism and highlight the ongoing issue of privacy invasion.
As conversations about consent and privacy evolve, incidents like Britt’s serve as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of emerging technologies. The combination of advanced recording capabilities and the public’s growing awareness of privacy rights will likely continue to shape discussions around this topic.
