Police Scotland is reviewing videos posted by TikToker Scott Margerison after complaints that he secretly recorded members of the public and workers using Meta smart glasses during a trip around Scotland. The footage includes confrontational exchanges, sexualised remarks about young women and comments involving a far-right conspiracy theory.
Margerison, 42, is from Rochdale and posts under the name E Dobbin across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. BBC Scotland News said it had attempted to contact him for comment.
Videos Show Encounters Across Scotland
Margerison travelled through locations including Dunoon, Glencoe, John O’Groats, Skye, Uist, Barra and Lewis in late June and early July. His videos generally show him approaching strangers and starting conversations while wearing glasses with integrated cameras and microphones.
One recording showed him making sexualised comments about two teenagers before speaking to them and their parents. Another showed him discussing the Kalergi Plan, a far-right conspiracy theory, with a UK-born Sikh shopkeeper on Skye.
The shopkeeper said the encounter was intimidating and that part of the conversation had been removed from the published footage. She said she became upset after learning that the secretly recorded exchange had appeared on TikTok.
Another video showed Margerison following an elderly couple through a supermarket after they complained about his behaviour. He swore during the encounter, blocked their path and said he intended to publish the footage.
CalMac Pauses Ferry Bridge Visits
Margerison was also given an escorted visit to the bridge of CalMac ferry MV Loch Seaforth while travelling to Lewis. A reflection visible in the recording showed him wearing Meta glasses as he questioned the vessel’s second officer.
CalMac said he had been told that photography and filming were prohibited. The operator temporarily paused public bridge visits after discovering that someone had recorded footage inside a restricted area without permission.
The visits had traditionally been offered at the ship master’s discretion and were popular with children and ferry enthusiasts. CalMac later said any future bridge visits would need to be arranged in advance.
Meta Closes Accounts and Reviews Safeguards
Meta told BBC Scotland News that it was investigating Margerison’s accounts and had disabled them. TikTok said it takes action against accounts that violate its rules against harassment and bullying, while YouTube said it would examine the videos on its platform.
Meta smart glasses use a capture light to indicate when the camera is recording. In an official explanation of its AI glasses, Meta said newer models automatically disable the camera when they detect that the light has been covered.
The company introduced the update after users reportedly found ways to obstruct or disable the indicator. Meta said its safeguards are intended to inform people nearby when recording is taking place.
Monopoly Events, which organises several UK Comic Con gatherings, recently banned Meta glasses and other wearable recording devices following complaints about secret filming. Attendees who use the devices may be removed from its events.
Police Scotland said officers were assessing the online videos to establish whether any criminal offences had occurred. The investigation reportedly covers both the filming and Margerison’s conduct during the recorded encounters.
Featured image credits: MAGNIFIC.COM
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