New App Alerts You If Someone Nearby Is Wearing Smart Glasses
Source: Slashdot
Introduction
A new Android app called Nearby Glasses alerts users when Bluetooth signals from smart glasses are detected nearby. The app is available on the Google Play Store and was highlighted by TechCrunch.
Background
Yves Jeanrenaud, the creator of the app, first spoke to 404 Media about the project. He said he was partly inspired by reporting on wearable surveillance devices, including how Meta’s Ray‑Ban smart glasses have been:
On the app’s project page on GitHub, Jeanrenaud described smart glasses as an “intolerable intrusion, consent‑neglecting, horrible piece of tech.” He told TechCrunch that his motivation came from “witnessing the sheer scale and inhumane nature of the abuse these smart glasses are involved in.” He also cited Meta’s decision to implement AI‑powered facial recognition as a default feature in its smart glasses, which he considers “a huge floodgate pushed open for all kinds of privacy‑invasive behavior” (Slashdot report).
How the App Works
The app listens for nearby Bluetooth signals that contain a publicly assigned identifier unique to the device’s manufacturer (Bluetooth specification). If a signal from hardware made by Meta or Snap is detected, the app sends the user an alert. Users can also add their own specific Bluetooth identifiers, allowing detection of a broader range of wearable surveillance gadgetry.