Man Arrested for secretly Filming Women at Rotterdam Festival
Rotterdam,Netherlands – A man was apprehended at Festival Rotterdam on Saturday after security personnel discovered he was using camera-equipped glasses to secretly film women,including in restroom areas. Rendel van den Heuvel, owner of the Special Security Group, and his team were alerted by several festival attendees who reported a man acting suspiciously near the women’s toilets and focusing on attendees wearing revealing clothing.
Following a search, security discovered the man was in possession of Ray-Ban Meta Glasses - a device currently available in neighboring countries but not yet officially on sale in the Netherlands. while the initial search revealed drugs, closer inspection of the glasses raised concerns.
“The man was reluctant to remove the glasses, but we insisted,” explained Van den Heuvel. “Upon reviewing his phone, we found multiple videos confirming he was filming women at the festival. Disturbingly, one image showed him filming under a skirt.” The illicit footage was instantly deleted.
The Ray-Ban Meta Glasses feature a button that allows the user to take photos with a single press, and record video with a longer press. They also include speakers for music, calls, and AI assistance. Tech journalist Bastiaan Vroegop,who owns a pair of the glasses,notes they are often used for capturing candid moments. “It’s easier to get natural photos of children without them posing,” he said.
However, Vroegop acknowledges the potential for misuse.While the glasses illuminate a white light during recording, he points out that this indicator is often difficult to notice in luminous daylight or from a distance. Van den Heuvel confirmed he did not observe the light during the incident.
The man’s details have been passed on to the police, who are investigating his motives. he has not yet made any statements regarding the incident.
Van den Heuvel is urging women to be vigilant. “If you see someone wearing these glasses, report it to security immediately,” he warned.He also advised other security personnel to be extra alert for the devices.
Vroegop believes this incident highlights a growing concern with emerging technology. ”Companies are constantly pushing the boundaries with new products, and we are on the cusp of even more advanced glasses technology, with Google also developing a similar device. This will inevitably lead to further friction and potential for misuse.” He also noted the existence of even smaller cameras readily available, stating that someone intent on surreptitious recording has numerous options.
