Police Scotland has launched an investigation into a TikTok creator accused of using Meta smart glasses to secretly record members of the public, retail workers, and maritime staff during a road trip across Scotland.
The suspect, 42-year-old Scott Margerison from Rochdale, operates online under the pseudonym E Dobbin on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
Authorities began reviewing the covertly filmed videos after receiving multiple public complaints about harassment and targeted verbal abuse.
Incidents on Skye and CalMac Ferries
During his journey in a white Ford Transit van through locations such as Skye and the Hebrides, Margerison captured encounters that drew widespread criticism.
In one clip, he recorded himself making sexualized remarks about two teenage girls before approaching them and their families with the hidden cameras active.
A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed the ongoing operational response to the published videos.
"We are aware of the videos posted online and are assessing the content," the spokesperson said.
The content filmed on the Isle of Skye involved a local business owner of Indian heritage who was targeted with far-right conspiracy theories regarding forced diversity.
The victim, who has lived on Skye for 20 years, stated that Margerison edited out his initial confrontational question from the uploaded footage.
"You're made to feel very small when you see a video like this," said the Sikh shopkeeper.
"And it's sad because everyone in the local community is really nice. This was really upsetting."
The secret filming spree also affected transport infrastructure, specifically the public ferry network CalMac.
Margerison filmed an unpermitted three-minute tour of the restricted bridge on the flagship vessel MV Loch Seaforth, leading the operator to suspend all public bridge visits.
Company officials stated that the passenger ignored explicit pre-tour rules regarding photography and corporate privacy.
"We have temporarily paused bridge visits on vessels by members of the public after an incident where an individual filmed in a restricted area without permission," said a CalMac spokesperson.
The ferry company emphasized that the measure was necessary to protect employees who reported feeling highly uncomfortable during the interactions.
"Our crews and port teams always welcome interest in CalMac, but their safety and wellbeing is our number one priority," added the spokesperson.
A separate corporate representative confirmed the timeline and the specific nature of the disturbance caused by the wearable technology.
"Last month, a man was travelling on the network using a pair of ‘Meta’ glasses which allow him to record video," said a CalMac spokesperson.
"He recorded multiple members of our crew/port staff and made them uncomfortable whilst doing so."
The representative noted that the disruptive behavior extended beyond the crew to affect paying passengers. "He was also doing this to members of the public.
I am sure you can appreciate why they were so uncomfortable," said the spokesperson.
The operational policy has now been modified to prevent spontaneous access to the captain's bridge across the fleet.
"As a result of this, we have not stopped bridge visits but have put a temporary measure in place whereby they must be arranged in advance," said the CalMac spokesperson.
Following the public backlash, Meta intervened by permanently disabling Margerison's linked social media accounts. The technology conglomerate defended the design architecture of its hardware while investigating policy breaches.
"People use our glasses because they're genuinely helpful – from listening to music, to live translation or hands-free calls.
For those wearing them and the people around them, trust matters. That's why we built privacy into our AI glasses from the ground up," said a Meta spokesperson.
Other platforms hosting the content creator's videos, including TikTok and YouTube, confirmed they are reviewing the uploads against their standard bullying and harassment policies.
Police Scotland requested anyone affected by the filming to contact them via the 101 non-emergency number.
