In a landscape increasingly dominated by smart technology, a new Android application has emerged, designed to address growing concerns surrounding privacy and surveillance. Developed by hobbyist and sociologist Yves Jeanrenaud, the app, named Nearby Glasses, aims to alert users when smart glasses are in their vicinity, tapping into the unique Bluetooth signatures emitted by these devices.
Understanding Nearby Glasses
Available on both the Google Play Store and GitHub, Nearby Glasses functions by scanning for specific Bluetooth “advertising frames.” These frames are small packets of data that smart glasses, such as those produced by Meta and Luxottica Group S.p.A., regularly broadcast. By referencing a directory of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) manufacturers, Jeanrenaud has tailored the app to specifically identify signals from these brands. “If it sees an advertising frame of these manufacturers, it notifies you. That’s basically it,” he explained.
The rise of smart glasses has not been without controversy. While they offer innovative experiences, there are significant concerns regarding their potential misuse. Reports have surfaced about Meta’s plans to incorporate facial recognition technology into its smart glasses, raising alarms about privacy violations. In a notable incident from 2024, two college students demonstrated how they could access personal information—such as names and addresses—through facial recognition capabilities integrated into their smart glasses. This technology has the potential to facilitate stalking and harassment, further complicating the conversation around smart eyewear.
Jeanrenaud’s motivation for creating Nearby Glasses stems from a desire to provide a countermeasure to surveillance technology. He emphasizes that while the app serves as a tool for awareness, it is not foolproof. Users should remain cautious, as the app may generate false positives when near other devices that emit similar Bluetooth signals, such as the Meta Quest 2 VR headset. “I don’t want people to feel falsely secure,” he cautioned, highlighting the app’s limitations.
As the market for smart glasses expands, with major players like Google, Samsung, and Apple poised to enter the fray, the conversation around privacy and surveillance will undoubtedly continue to evolve. Nearby Glasses represents a small but significant step in empowering individuals to navigate this new technological landscape with greater awareness.
