Summary of Key Points
The phenomenon of smart glasses being used to secretly photograph civil aviation staff, especially flight attendants, is becoming increasingly prevalent. Tools such as light-blocking stickers make such photography even more concealed. Although there are legal provisions regarding the right to privacy and public security regulations that allow employees to stop unauthorized filming, domestic airlines lack clear policies to support their employees, resulting in them being hesitant to stand up for themselves. The article calls on airlines, platforms, and airports to take action together to protect employees from these incidents.
1. How sneaky are smart glasses for photography? Light-blocking stickers have become accomplices
Using smart glasses to photograph flight attendants is no longer a rare occurrence; searching for “flight attendants” in certain communities will reveal numerous videos taken from the first-person perspective. Even passersby at beaches, parks, and in subways are sometimes secretly recorded. Ironically, e-commerce platforms sell light-blocking stickers for just a few yuan each, which can cover the indicator lights on the glasses, allowing the subjects to be completely unaware of the filming. One store has sold over 5,000 of these stickers—clearly, the purpose is to enable covert photography without being detected!
Smart glasses have been used for such purposes for 8 years, but back then, the technology was much less advanced. Now that the tools are more concealed, civil aviation’s anti-filming measures have not kept up.
2. Does the law really side with employees? There is a basis, but it needs to be properly applied
Many people think that as long as the footage isn’t shared, there’s no issue, but the law sees it differently:
- Civil Code: Without consent, even just taking a photo constitutes an infringement of privacy. “Production, use, and public display” are all considered forms of creating a portrait, and thus, unauthorized photography is illegal regardless of whether the image is shared or not.
- Public Security Management Punishment Law: The new version of this law explicitly makes it illegal to secretly film others’ private areas, with penalties including fines of up to 1,000 yuan and detention. Light-blocking stickers can turn what might seem like harmless behavior into a legal offense by covering the indicator lights on the glasses.
However, it’s important to note that the law provides employees with the legal authority to stop unauthorized photography, but they should do so in a way that avoids escalating conflicts.
3. Why are airlines crucial? Employees fear retaliation and thus hesitate to act
For frontline staff (flight attendants, ground crew, etc.), the biggest concern is that stopping unauthorized filming could lead to complaints from passengers, which might result in negative consequences for them. Several domestic airlines mentioned that dealing with such situations is quite difficult.
In contrast, Lufthansa clearly posts notices at boarding gates stating that employees cannot be photographed without permission, emphasizing that both passengers’ and staff’s rights to privacy are protected. Why can’t domestic airlines do the same? It’s not a technical issue; it’s a matter of not giving enough importance to the rights of ordinary employees—basic rights such as workplace safety and working hours are often overlooked, let alone support for stopping unauthorized photography.
4. Why do employees dislike being photographed? It’s more than just a matter of rudeness
Think about it: Would you like strangers to take photos of your face every day? Moreover, the comments on online videos are often vulgar and demeaning (“What thin legs!” or “She looks average…”). Why should employees tolerate such behavior?
Work is work, but employees are also human beings with rights. They have the right to refuse to be photographed by strangers at will; this is not about being uncooperative—it’s about protecting their dignity.
5. How to solve this problem? Multiple parties need to take action
The article suggests several approaches:
1. Airlines/Airports: Post clear notices in waiting areas and cabins stating that employees cannot be photographed without permission.
2. Airlines’ policies: Clearly support employees in stopping unauthorized photography and ensure they are not punished for doing so.
3. Platforms: Remove such content immediately upon receiving complaints and avoid promoting it for the sake of traffic.
4. Training: New employees should be taught from the beginning that they have the right to refuse unauthorized photography and that this is legal.
In the end, protecting employees is not an extra effort; it’s a basic responsibility of businesses. At heart, this issue reflects whether the rights of ordinary workers are truly respected—both by preventing unauthorized filming and by ensuring that frontline staff are not left helpless in dealing with it.