Hide from Meta's spyglasses with this new Android app
The Register
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A new Android app called Nearby Glasses has been developed to alert users if someone wearing Meta's smart glasses is nearby. Created by Yves Jeanrenaud, a professor at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, the app scans Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signals for manufacturer-specific identifiers linked to devices like Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses. While it serves as a tool to raise awareness about potential surreptitious recording, users are cautioned that false positives from other Meta hardware could occur.
The app leverages BLE advertising frames, which include mandatory and unchangeable manufacturer IDs, even when MAC addresses and service UUIDs are randomized. This allows the app to detect smart glasses without relying on unique device identifiers. However, Jeanrenaud emphasizes that the app is not foolproof, as some individuals might disable the LED indicator light on their smart glasses, making them appear like ordinary eyewear.
The development of Nearby Glasses comes amid growing concerns over privacy and misuse of smart glasses for non-consensual recording or harassment. Incidents such as altercations over Meta AI glasses have highlighted the social unease surrounding these devices. While public video recording is generally legal, issues arise when audio recording captures private conversations or biometric data like facial recognition is involved.
Jeanrenaud's app aims to empower users by providing visibility into nearby smart glasses, though it does not condone harassment based on potential surveillance. Meta has defended its glasses, noting their LED indicators and adherence to terms of service that promote respectful use. However, critics argue that disabling the LED light undermines transparency, and the collection of biometric data raises significant privacy concerns.
As smart glasses become more advanced, with features like facial recognition and voice recording, their potential for misuse grows. Legal experts warn that recording activities could lead to legal risks or device seizures, particularly when privacy laws are implicated. This underscores the importance of tools like Nearby Glasses in fostering awareness and encouraging responsible use of smart technology.
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Originally published on The Register on 2/25/2026