An amusement ride operator at Munich’s Oktoberfest has handed out more than 100 free cycling shorts to female visitors during the 16-day beer festival to shield them from voyeuristic upskirting videos circulating online. The ongoing protection effort targets riders on the Teufelsrad, or Devil’s Wheel, which is one of the festival’s oldest attractions. During the ride, a spinning circular platform frequently causes women’s traditional dirndl dresses to fly up as they lose their balance.
An investigation by local broadcaster BR revealed that an online video network involving a Ukrainian YouTube team and Bavarian individuals generated thousands of euros from these invasive recordings. One recorded video alone yielded €9,000 for its uploader. According to the Munich daily newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, at least 32,000 videos recorded at the attraction have circulated across various social media platforms. Some clips have garnered millions of views, and others have been digitally altered.
Combating Digital Voyeurism at the Devil’s Wheel
To combat these privacy violations, 80-year-old attraction operator Elisabeth Polaczy has distributed cycling shorts to female visitors wearing skirts for the past three consecutive years. “I want to do everything I can to make people feel secure,” said Elisabeth Polaczy, operator of the Teufelsrad. Although donating the cycling shorts comes at a personal financial cost, she maintains that peace of mind makes the effort worthwhile.
The Teufelsrad tent is decorated with warning signs and official police posters in both German and English cautioning against filming under people’s skirts. However, Polaczy notes that it remains nearly impossible to manually monitor every individual filming with a smartphone in the crowded tent. Consequently, many festival waitresses have also begun proactively wearing cycling shorts beneath their dirndls.
Legal Framework and Enforcement Challenges
Filming under someone’s skirt is illegal in Germany and carries a prison sentence of up to two years. Bavarian police stated that they have run active poster campaigns at Oktoberfest warning against upskirting. During this year’s festival, police arrested a 45-year-old Swiss man for allegedly using his phone to film under a German woman’s dirndl. This follows 10 similar arrests for upskirting last year and seven arrests in 2024.
Despite these criminal penalties, legal experts and privacy campaigners argue that existing laws contain significant loopholes. Josephine Ballon, head of the German non-profit organization Hate Aid, which supports victims of digital violence, pointed out that current legislation applies specifically when someone intentionally reaches or films directly under a skirt. It does not always cover situations where a garment simply flies up naturally on a funfair ride. Campaigners are also raising alarms over emerging privacy threats, such as discreet camera glasses.
Stricter Regulations for Influencers in Munich
In response to widespread commercial filming and digital exploitation, the city of Munich has enacted stricter rules targeting influencers and content creators who profit from social media postings recorded at the festival. Authorities have banned live-streaming directly from Oktoberfest grounds and now require content creators to secure a paid permit to film. Hundreds of licenses have been issued to approved influencers engaged in sponsored content and product placements. Meanwhile, unauthorized creators face increased scrutiny from law enforcement and security personnel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Teufelsrad at Oktoberfest?
The Teufelsrad, or Devil’s Wheel, is one of the oldest traditional amusement rides at Munich’s Oktoberfest. It consists of a large circular wooden platform that rotates at increasing speeds until riders lose their balance and fall off.
Why are women being given free cycling shorts?
Ride operator Elisabeth Polaczy distributes free cycling shorts to women and girls wearing skirts or dirndls to protect them from voyeurs who film their underwear when the ride’s spinning motion causes their dresses to fly up.
Is upskirting illegal in Germany?
Yes, taking unauthorized intrusive photographs up someone’s skirt or dress is illegal in Germany and carries a maximum penalty of a two-year prison sentence.
How many illegal videos have been recorded?
According to investigations by the Munich daily Süddeutsche Zeitung and local broadcaster BR, at least 32,000 videos recorded on the Teufelsrad have circulated online, with some clips generating thousands of euros for uploaders.
What are authorities doing to stop upskirting at Oktoberfest?
Bavarian police have deployed poster campaigns warning against upskirting and made multiple arrests of offenders. Additionally, city authorities have restricted influencer live-streaming while requiring official filming permits.
