Trapped in the View Economy: Are Bangladesh’s Beaches Still Safe?

Md. Kamal Uddin    |    ০৬:৩০ পিএম, ২০২৬-০১-০৫

By: Md. Rakib, Cox’s Bazar
A family trip to Cox’s Bazar should be a time of joy—running along the turquoise waves, hearing children’s laughter, and breathing in the calm of the seaside. Yet, one day, while scrolling through YouTube at home, a shocking sight appears: secretly recorded videos of your female family members bathing in the sea. Within minutes, the video has gone viral, seen by thousands—colleagues, neighbors, friends. In an instant, privacy, dignity, and safety are shattered. Where tourism is meant to bring peace and happiness, today, families have become commodities in the hands of “view economy” profiteers. The same disturbing trend is emerging in another popular tourist spot in Bangladesh, Kuakata. The Hidden Mechanisms of the View Economy This problem is no longer hidden. Investigations reveal that travel blogs such as Travel View, Explore Cox’s Bazar, and Ghure Beray operate under the guise of promoting tourism, but their content increasingly monetizes voyeurism. Secretly recorded videos, often capturing women bathing or private family moments, are uploaded regularly. When approached for comment, a representative of the YouTube channel Ghure Beray avoided questions about filming and uploading practices. Yet, the videos remain online, views continue to rise, and countless families suffer. Daily revenue from this exploitation reaches lakhs of Bangladeshi Taka, masking immense social and psychological harm. Is This Only a Bangladeshi Problem? Not at all. Similar reports have surfaced in Goa, Miami Beach, and Phuket, where tourists’ privacy is violated through the same methods. This is not a regional issue—it is an international problem, a form of “view terrorism” where private experiences and leisure are monetized without consent. Authorities Respond Contacted for comment, the Cox’s Bazar Tourist Police and DIG Appel Mamu stated, “Secretly recorded videos fall under criminal law. Legal action will be taken if complaints are filed. But the question remains—why is there no proactive monitoring before complaints arise? Why are patrols, cyber surveillance, and tourist awareness not enforced more rigorously on beaches?” The critical question: Are our beaches truly safe? Must every beach visit now navigate a hidden camera trap? Where once children’s laughter and family fun flourished, now lurks the threat of exploitation. Psychological and Social Impact
Victimized families suffer more than social embarrassment—they experience severe mental distress, shaken self-confidence, strained family relationships, and social stigma. Children, too, may be affected. Furthermore, when such videos circulate online, the country’s tourism image suffers. Foreign visitors may hesitate to visit, and local tourists face heightened anxiety about personal safety. A country known as a “tourist paradise” now risks a crisis of trust regarding family and child safety. The Economics of the View Industry Secret filming and online uploads generate millions of views, translating into substantial revenue. Private lives of tourists are strategically turned into business opportunities. This constitutes a new type of cybercrime, where tourism and entertainment serve as a façade for criminal activity. Necessary Measures and Administrative Steps Regular Patrols and Monitoring: Beach areas must have increased security and supervision.
Cyber Surveillance: Social platforms like YouTube must quickly identify and remove inappropriate content. Exemplary Punishment: Strict legal action against those filming and uploading secret videos. Tourist Awareness: Visitors must be informed about privacy risks and measures to protect personal space. International Coordination: Collaboration with global tourist destinations to prevent similar crimes. Conclusion Tourism should represent peace, joy, education, and cultural exchange. But when these spaces become prey to view economy profiteers, a vital question emerges—where is our security? Are the waves, sand, and sunsets now a trap? This exploitation is not just economic—it is a profound social and psychological crime. Our families, children, and personal joys are now ensnared in a “camera trap.” Addressing this requires law enforcement, proactive vigilance, and a social movement to protect privacy. Otherwise, our tourist paradise will fall prey to the view economy. The question remains: Are our beaches, our families, and our happiness truly safe? To answer it, authorities must act swiftly, tourists must remain vigilant, and a culture of privacy protection must be established. If unchecked, the beauty of the sea and sand will remain only a dream, far from the reality of safe leisure.