A novel Android application aims to detect the presence of smart glasses in the vicinity that may be recording users without their consent.
Smart glasses, such as the Ray-Ban Meta, Oakley Meta, and Spectacles, include cameras for first-person photos and video recording, offering a perspective aligned with the wearer’s point of view. Designs have been refined over time to prioritize comfort and a conventional appearance.
This understated design, however, makes it hard to determine when someone is using smart glasses, raising concerns that individuals may be recorded or photographed unknowingly. The increasing sophistication of these devices highlights the growing need for privacy awareness and potential countermeasures.
‘Nearby Glasses’ is an Android application designed to alert users if smart glasses are operating nearby. The project, created by Yves Jeanrenaud, has been shared on GitHub as an open-source initiative.
According to the project repository, the application detects the Bluetooth identifiers of these devices and sends a notification to users based on a customizable distance, allowing them to take appropriate action.
Jeanrenaud cautions that the application should be used with care, as it may detect devices that are not actually nearby but share technical characteristics with smart glasses’ Bluetooth signals.
