Women given shorts at Oktoberfest to prevent upskirting
BBC News reports on a measure taken by the operator of a popular amusement ride at Munich's Oktoberfest to combat upskiring. Due to thousands of voyeuristic videos surfacing on social media featuring women on the Teufelsrad (Devil's Wheel), cycling shorts are now being distributed free of charge to female riders wearing dresses to protect them from unwanted filming.
The Teufelsrad, one of the oldest attractions at Oktoberfest, has gained notoriety for its circular platform that spins faster and faster until riders fall off, often causing skirts to fly up. Filming under someone's skirt is illegal in Germany with a potential punishment of up to two years in jail. However, critics argue that this law needs strengthening as some videos have been digitally altered to show women naked.
At least 32,000 videos of women on the Teufelsrad have circulated, according to local media. One woman reportedly earned €9,000 (£7,650) from a single clip. The operator, Elisabeth Polaczy, has been handing out over 100 pairs of cycling shorts this year, stating, "I want to do everything I can to make people feel secure."
While signs and police posters warn against filming under skirts, controlling everyone with smartphones is nearly impossible. Some festival waitresses have also taken to wearing cycling shorts under their dirndls for added protection. Police have made several arrests related to upskirting at Oktoberfest in recent years.
However, Josephine Ballon from the German non-profit organisation Hate Aid believes that current legislation against upskiring falls short of providing adequate protection as it only applies when a skirt is filmed under, not when it simply flies up and gets photographed. She notes the emerging threat of camera glasses.