One major issue with “luxury surveillance” gadgets, such as smart glasses with built-in video cameras, is that they often appear indistinguishable from regular eyewear, meaning you could be recorded unknowingly.
However, a new app can now detect and alert you when someone nearby is wearing smart glasses or possibly other always-recording technology.
The Android app, called Nearby Glasses, continually searches for nearby signals emitted by Bluetooth-enabled tech, including devices manufactured by Meta, Oakley, and Snap.
The app’s release coincides with growing resistance to devices that constantly record or listen, as critics claim they process data on nearby individuals who have not consented.
Yves Jeanrenaud, the creator of the app, discussed his project with 404 Media, stating his inspiration partly came from reading about wearable surveillance devices and how Meta’s Ray-Bans smart glasses have been used in scenarios like immigration raids and to film and harass sex workers.
On the project’s page, Jeanrenaud labeled smart glasses as a “consent-neglecting, horrible piece of tech.”
Jeanrenaud told TechCrunch via email that his motivation came from witnessing the scale and inhumane nature of the abuse these smart glasses are associated with. He also criticized Meta’s plan to include facial recognition as a default feature in its smart glasses, saying it opens the door to privacy-invading behavior.
The app operates by detecting Bluetooth signals that have a publicly assigned identifier unique to the Bluetooth device’s manufacturer. If it senses a Bluetooth signal from a nearby Meta or Snap device, the app alerts the user. Users can also add specific Bluetooth identifiers to detect a broader range of surveillance gadgets.
Jeanrenaud admitted the app might encounter false positives, possibly mistaking nearby Meta virtual reality headsets for smart glasses made by the same manufacturer. However, virtual reality headsets are typically larger and more noticeable.
Testing the app, I installed it on an Android phone and walked through my city’s neighborhood, finding no smart glasses wearers and receiving no alerts.
The app allows the addition of specific Bluetooth identifiers, like 0x004C, enabling me to search for Apple devices. My test device soon flooded with alerts from nearby Apple products, confirming the app’s functionality.
Jeanrenaud continues to add new features and there is demand for an iPhone version, but it’s dependent on his availability.
Discussing the app, Jeanrenaud remarked, “Of course, it’s a technical solution to a social problem, and it won’t go away anytime soon,” describing the app as a “desperate act of resistance, hoping it would help at least someone.”
TechCrunch’s requests for comments from Meta and Snap went unanswered.