Fresh concerns have emerged over the growing use of smart glasses capable of recording video after a retail workers’ union warned that shop employees are increasingly being filmed without their knowledge or consent.
The concerns follow complaints from a sales assistant who discovered he had appeared in a social media video posted by former television presenter Michael Barrymore without being informed or asked for permission.
Barrymore, who has built a large following on platforms including TikTok and YouTube, regularly records videos using smart glasses equipped with hidden cameras while visiting supermarkets, shopping centres and other public venues.
The shop worker, who asked not to be identified, said he only became aware of the recording days after it had been posted online.
“One of the customers comes in and she says, ‘I’ve seen you on a video,’” he recalled. “And I had no idea what she was talking about.”
After searching online, he found the footage and realised he had been clearly identifiable in the video.
“And I had to sort of go backwards and piece together what had happened,” he said.
Although the employee stressed that he was not personally distressed by the incident, he said other workers in different circumstances could face significant risks if their identities and workplaces were revealed online.
The issue has drawn attention from the retail union Usdaw, which described the unauthorised filming of staff as an increasing problem.
Usdaw national officer Jayne Allport said some employees may have legitimate reasons for wanting their location and workplace to remain private.
“They could be filming someone who has escaped an abusive relationship or violent past and they don’t want anybody to know where they are,” she said.
Allport warned that some recordings involve confrontations between customers and staff, which can later be uploaded to social media platforms.
“The really concerning cases are when the customer is disgruntled about something that’s happened… they confront the shop worker, film and upload it in order to embarrass the retailer,” she said.
She added that such incidents can have a serious impact on workers’ wellbeing and mental health.
The debate comes amid the growing popularity of smart glasses, particularly devices such as Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, which allow users to discreetly record and share video content.
While filming in shops is not generally a criminal offence, retail premises are privately owned spaces and permission is usually required from store owners before recording. Privacy experts also note that employees may have a reasonable expectation of privacy while at work.
The sales assistant involved in the Barrymore video said he would likely not have objected to being included had he been informed beforehand.
“I probably wouldn’t have minded,” he said. “But I would like to have been asked.”
Offering advice to content creators, Allport urged those recording social media videos to seek consent before filming staff.
“Go into the store, explain to the staff what you’re intending to do, and ask them if they mind starring in his video,” she said.
“It is common courtesy to ask for permission.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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