TikTok removes account of Cork influencer after Instagram ban over harassment

Vladyslav Morhulets posted videos of interactions with members of the public, including vulnerable people, filmed using smart glasses

Cork-based content creator known online as Rendy_Vlad. Pic: Instagram

A Cork-based social media personality’s TikTok account has been banned, just days after his profile was also removed from Instagram.

Ukrainian-born Vladyslav Morhulets, 21, posted videos of interactions filmed using smart glasses, often without the subjects’ knowledge, under the username Rendy_Vlad.

His content included footage of a young woman experiencing a medical emergency in Cork city centre, interactions with retail staff and “pranks” in which he pretends to give money to vulnerable people before taking it back.

Meta confirmed earlier this week that it had removed his Instagram account, where he had nearly 12,000 followers, citing repeated violations of its bullying and harassment policies.

The former MTU student had a much larger following on TikTok, with 1.1 million followers and a combined 13.6 million likes on his videos.

According to TikTok, content that violated its guidelines had already been removed from the account. However, following further investigation, the company has now banned it entirely.

The company said it does not allow content that harasses or bullies others.

It added that its Community Guidelines on regulated goods and services also prohibit content involving the trading, marketing or provision of access to regulated, prohibited or high-risk goods and services, including gambling and gambling-like activities.

Content and gambling promotion

Irish users cannot monetise content directly through likes and views on social media platforms, leaving brand deals as a main source of income for creators. Videos by Mr Morhulets have been linked to the promotion of Rainbet, an unregulated crypto gambling platform.

A Meta spokesperson said earlier this week: “We don't tolerate harassing content, however it was captured, and have removed the account @rendy_vlad for repeatedly violating our bullying and harassment policies.” 

Meta, which makes one of the most popular brands of smart glasses, said: “The vast majority of people use our AI glasses because they’re helpful in everyday moments like listening to music, getting live translation while travelling, or making a call hands-free.

“The glasses are 'designed to be noticed',” the spokesperson added.

“Every pair with a camera has a bright light on the front that flashes when you take a photo or video you can share with others.” 

They added: “If the glasses detect that the capture LED light was covered, physically tampered with, or destroyed, they'll automatically disable the camera.”