These days, it’s important to remember that anything you do in public could possibly end up on social media. There’s a certain creep factor to knowing that people could be watching everything you do, especially for those with fame. Now, an Iowa content creator says that it could virtually happen to anyone. With people known as First Amendment auditors wandering around and recording people for reactions, anything is possible. And, furthermore, everybody needs to be careful with their in-public interactions.
Brad Podray (@brad_podray) shared a PSA on his TikTok about people known as “first amendment auditors.” These people stand around filming individuals and businesses while out in public. They attempt to “goad” people into “strong reactions,” which will then be posted on YouTube. Why? They’re taking people’s anger and outbursts and posting them online for YouTube revenue. If it sounds insane, it really is.
Brad shows an example of what these people may look like out in public. In a video, a man is standing on the front steps of a business, dressed all in black like the paparazzi and holding a camera. Brad says that he was being filmed by one of these people when he made his way to his local post office. Two ladies in the post office were talking about how uncomfortable they were and asking if they should call the police. Brad told them that he didn’t think they should call, as this is what First Amendment auditors want you to do. They’re out there looking for that strong reaction.
Brad shows how people end up in YouTube compilations by confronting and having a strong reaction to these people. So, are they allowed to be doing this? Yes. They’re in public, and what they’re doing isn’t technically illegal. Some of the interactions they’ve falsely created ended in viral videos and even lawsuits. They use a variety of confrontation tactics, like baiting people and employees, or trying to access areas where people aren’t typically permitted. It feels like a violation to any average person, but that’s what they want.
Brad says the best thing you can do with these types of people is ignoring them. As he says, “If you don’t give them a reaction, they have nothing to post. But the second you start causing a ruckus, they can post you and that’s how they make your profit.” One commenter stated, “First amendment auditor is just a nice way of saying professional ragebaiter.” Not untrue whatsoever.
