UnsplashPopular TikTok food reviewer ElizabethEatsNYC has responded to backlash for using Meta glasses to film her videos, with some critics claiming she ‘ambushes’ staff with them.
Food reviews have long been one of the internet’s favorite genres of content, and they’ve been especially on TikTok. The likes of Keith Lee and Dave Portnoy have changed the fortunes of restaurants with their takes on what they offer.
As her name suggests, TikToker ElizabethEatsNYC has been doing the same in New York City. The only difference from other reviewers is that she doesn’t appear on camera herself. Instead, she uses the Meta glasses as her camera, recording everything along the way – except for her taking a few bites.
The glasses have drawn backlash from viewers and critics, with some claiming that the glasses allow her to “ambush” unknowing wait staff. “These Meta glasses people infuriate me. She ambushes people and records them without them realizing,” said one.
ElizabethEatsNYC responds to backlash over Meta glasses
After months of backlash, the TikToker told the New York Post exactly why she uses them, and revealed that she does, in fact, get permission from servers.
“Holding a camera isn’t practical for me. I move around lots, engage with people in real time, and the glasses let me film without a big intrusive camera,” she said, telling hater to ‘get off’ their ‘high horses’ too.
“They help me keep interactions genuine and spontaneous while still creating high-quality content. I think I’m being held to a standard that no other content creator has been held to before. I think it’s interesting my videos are singled out for controversy, even though filming people in public has been standard practice since cameras were invented.
“My glasses have a blinking light to indicate recording. I [now] make sure anyone who’s a main focus in a video is aware they’re being recorded. I respect requests, and I’ve never posted someone who’s asked not to be on camera.”
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Ray-BanThe TikToker, who won’t reveal her identity, added that she still wants to lead a normal life despite having 1.3 million followers.
“I’m like a normal person. I don’t want to be this huge famous person that can’t leave their apartment without these cameras in my face. I just basically want to lead a normal life and have peace and privacy,” she told the Post.
ElizabethEatsNYC has continued to post on TikTok too, branching out of New York while documenting visits to Vietnam and other parts of the United States. She’s even worked with popular Twitch streamer Sketch on a review as well.