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Campaigners Urge Stronger Laws Against Covert Nightlife Filming of Women in the UK
By Drooid · · How we work
Surge in Secret Nightlife Recordings
Campaigners warn that women and girls are increasingly being filmed without consent during nights out in cities across the United Kingdom. Viral videos that target intoxicated women have collectively attracted more than 3 billion views online, prompting harassment and ridicule. The practice has been linked to broader predatory behaviours such as stalking and online abuse.
Legal Gaps and Police Response
Filming in public spaces is not currently illegal, leaving police unable to intervene effectively. In 2024, Greater Manchester Police arrested a 27-year-old man on suspicion of voyeurism and harassment—the first arrest tied to the viral “nightlife” videos. However, the investigation collapsed later in the year because existing legislation did not cover covert recording, and detectives indicated they might pursue civil action instead.
Campaigners’ Call for Legislative Action
An open letter authored by Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse and signed by organisations including Refuge, Women’s Aid, the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, and the Online Safety Network urges Mayor Andy Burnham to strengthen the law. The letter argues that current statutes have not kept pace with technology used to weaponise women, and it calls for covert filming to be recognised within the Online Safety Act, including provisions for algorithms that incentivise abuse. The signatories stress that women need the basic right to exist in public and online spaces without fear of surveillance or exploitation.
Industry Concerns and Emerging Technology
The controversy has coincided with public backlash against Meta’s AI-enabled smart glasses, which critics have dubbed “pervert glasses” after reports of the devices being used to film women without consent. Meta has been contacted for comment but has not responded publicly.
Potential Next Steps
The letter requests urgent government action and collaboration with experts, victim-survivors, and industry to develop a response proportionate to the scale of the issue. No official reply from the Greater Manchester mayor’s office has been reported at the time of writing.