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A hidden industry of covertly filmed women on nights out is generating substantial revenue, potentially reaching “multi-million pound” figures, according to Professor Annabelle Gawer, director of the Centre of Digital Economy at the University of Surrey. The scale of this activity is significant, with “billions of cumulative views” across various platforms.
Profitable Exploitation
The financial incentive is clear: a single video accumulating one million views could generate up to £5,000 for its creator. While filming in public spaces under UK law is not typically illegal, the monetization of these videos has sparked anger and frustration among those filmed. The women impacted feel a particular sting knowing that their unwitting participation is directly funding this practice.
Did You Know? A video with one million views could generate up to £5,000 for its creator.
Legal Ambiguity
The legal landscape surrounding this content remains unclear. Honza Cervenka, a solicitor with McAllister Olivarius specializing in image-based sexual abuse, describes the law as being in a “grey area.” He explains that the practice “skirts between the line for a number of different crimes, including voyeurism and harassment,” creating space for its continued growth.
According to Cervenka, a key element in proving harassment is demonstrating a “course of conduct” involving two or more incidents. This could include both initial street harassment and subsequent online sharing of the footage. He also notes that utilizing a woman’s image as a thumbnail for other videos could also be considered harassment.
Platform Responses
Following an investigation, YouTube deactivated two accounts linked to Florjan Reka, who maintains he only publishes “public walking tour videos” and has requested a review of the decision. However, several videos shared with YouTube remain online, despite the platform’s claim to “rigorously enforce” its community guidelines. YouTube stated it removed 1.8 million videos for violating harassment policies by the end of 2025.
TikTok removed four channels identified in the investigation. Meta, which operates Facebook and Instagram, stated it removed content violating its policies, but the channels initially flagged remain active. The video featuring Grace and Sophie has been removed, a development the sisters describe as a “small victory,” though Grace expressed concern about the potential for re-uploading, stating, “There’s probably no shutting it down.”
Expert Insight: The persistence of this content, despite platform interventions, highlights the challenges of policing online spaces and the enduring power of readily available technology to facilitate exploitation. The legal ambiguities further complicate efforts to hold perpetrators accountable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is filming in public always legal?
Under UK law, filming in public places is rarely illegal.
What constitutes harassment in this context?
For the crime of harassment, there needs to be a “course of conduct” of two or more harassing incidents, which can include “harassing on the street and then online harassment, so posting the video or sharing it.”
What has been the response from social media platforms?
YouTube deactivated two accounts, TikTok removed four channels, and Meta stated it removed content violating its policies, though several channels remain active.
Given the potential for re-uploading and the legal complexities involved, what further steps might be necessary to protect individuals from this form of exploitation?
