Newcastle street videos ‘exploiting’ vulnerable people

They are among several content creators filming “life on the street” videos in the north-east of England and they operate across multiple social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.

Many use smart glasses when gathering their footage, which is often considered as covert filming.

Tin tin, who said he used the glasses to gather footage, said: “The smart glasses have a visible recording light when they are recording, so they are not a hidden recording device.

“I don’t always verbally announce that I’m recording, I will often gesture towards the glasses or make it obvious, and if you watch many of our videos you’ll hear us saying, ‘I’m recording’.”

Gray believes the lack of consent for the videos, particularly if the person is intoxicated and therefore unable to give it, is a “massive” safeguarding issue.

“Some of the people in these videos are unable to give consent to being filmed,” she said.

“It is simply exploitation as they’ll make money from posting these videos on their backs. Even in the comment sections it can be nothing but ridicule.”

Gray’s petition asks for stronger enforcement of existing laws around harassment, public order and non‑consensual filming, and clear public guidance from the city council on filming vulnerable people in public spaces.