Application to detect hidden recording of smart glasses

A big problem with smart glasses with built-in cameras is that they look a lot like regular eyeglasses, which means the other person can be recorded without knowing. To solve the problem, software developer Yves Jeanrenaud created Nearby Glasses, an Android app that alerts users when it detects smart glasses or other continuously recording technology devices nearby.

Users can download the application from Google Play Store or GitHub. After they grant the necessary permissions and press the “Start Scan” button, the app will continuously scan for nearby signals emitted by Bluetooth-enabled technology devices, such as Meta and Snap wearables. “I see Nearby Glasses as a small part of the effort to fight surveillance technology,” Jeanrenaud shared with 404 Media.

According to Jeanrenaud, the application will display the device manufacturer name in the notification section. He created this feature by referencing the manufacturer identifier that Bluetooth gives to companies like Meta, Snap, Luxottica. The app also allows users to add specific Bluetooth identifiers, helping to detect more surveillance devices.

However, Jeanrenaud is not a professional developer and admitted that the application sometimes gives wrong results. “Harassing someone because they think they are wearing a secret tracking device could become illegal,” he reminded. According to TechCrunchNearby Glasses can detect Meta virtual reality glasses and mistakenly warn that they are smart glasses of the same brand. However, app users will be able to tell the difference because virtual reality glasses are often larger and easier to recognize.

Jeanrenaud is adding new features to Nearby Glasses. The new app is only available on Android, but he confirmed that an iOS version is being developed.

Nearby Glasses was born in the context of increasing concerns about secret recording with wearable devices, especially smart glasses. New York Times last month, Meta is planning to introduce Name Tag facial recognition feature. This feature allows the company’s smart glasses to identify people and collect information about them.