A new Android app called Nearby Glasses alerts users when smart glasses and other wearable cameras may be nearby. The free tool is open-source and is now available to download.
The app was created by Swiss developer Yves Jeanrenaud. It scans for Bluetooth Low Energy signals that devices send out. When it detects signals linked to certain manufacturers, it sends a notification to the user.
Nearby Glasses can identify signals linked to Meta Platforms, eyewear group Luxottica, and Snap Inc.. These companies are associated with products such as the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and Spectacles.
When the app detects a signal above a chosen strength level, it shows a message saying smart glasses are probably nearby. It also displays the company name and signal strength. The app does not identify a specific person or exact location.
Jeanrenaud told tech outlet 404 Media that he created the project partly because of concerns about people using smart glasses to film others without consent. He described the app as a small response to growing surveillance technology.
Developers say the app may sometimes show false alerts. Other devices, such as VR headsets or smartwatches from the same companies, can send similar Bluetooth signals.
Nearby Glasses runs in the background on Android phones and requires Bluetooth permission. It is available on the Google Play Store and on GitHub for users who want to review the code.
The app’s launch comes as smart glasses with built-in cameras and microphones become more common. The debate over privacy and wearable technology continues, with some people welcoming tools like this and others raising concerns about misuse.
