Nearby Glasses app detects hidden smart glasses via Bluetooth signals
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Smart glasses are designed to blend in. Most of the time, they look like a normal pair of glasses. The difference is that some models can quietly take photos or record videos without anyone nearby noticing.
As these wearable cameras begin to appear in everyday places, more and more people are wondering when they might be filmed. This concern helped inspire a new Android app called Glasses Nearby, which lets you check if smart glasses are nearby.
The idea behind the app is simple. If a nearby device broadcasts a Bluetooth signal related to the smart glasses, the app attempts to detect it. For people worried about hidden cameras in public spaces, even a little warning could help them stay more aware of their surroundings.
PRIVACY ISSUES WITH META SMART GLASSES GROW
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Mark Zuckerberg wore a pair of Meta Ray-Ban Display AI glasses while speaking at the Meta Connect event in Menlo Park, California on September 17, 2025. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Why smart glasses raise privacy concerns
Smart glasses are designed to blend in. Unlike a phone or camera, they are often the same as regular glasses. This means someone could be filming without anyone around them noticing.
Modern versions of these devices can capture photos, record video, and even live stream. Some models also connect to AI tools that can analyze what the wearer sees. Privacy advocates say the biggest problem is visibility. When someone takes out a phone to record, people usually notice.
With smart glasses, the camera can be hidden in plain sight. As a result, discussions about consent and privacy are becoming increasingly urgent as wearable cameras become more widespread.
How the Nearby Glasses app works
Nearby Glasses work by searching for Bluetooth signals broadcast by devices to connect to phones and other hardware. Each manufacturer uses unique Bluetooth identifiers. The app listens to these signals and compares them to known identifiers of companies that produce wearable devices. If the application detects one of these signals, it alerts the user.
Here’s how the process works:
- The app scans nearby Bluetooth devices in real time
- It checks each signal against known manufacturer identifiers
- If a match appears, the user receives an alert
The app currently focuses on devices made by companies like Meta and Snap. Users can also add additional Bluetooth IDs to expand what the app detects. This allows the tool to report more types of wearable technology. To continue scanning continuously, users need to enable a foreground service in the app and tap Start Scanning. A debug log then displays analysis activity while the application is running.
Why the developer created the app
The app was developed by software creator Yves Jeanrenaud, who says he built it after seeing how wearable cameras were used. On the project page, Jeanrenaud described smart glasses as a major privacy issue. He believes these devices could open the door to more recordings without consent.
He also pointed to reports of smart glasses appearing in sensitive situations. These examples include cases where handheld cameras were allegedly used during immigration checks or in situations where people were filmed without permission.
According to Jeanrenaud, the application represents what he calls a form of technological resistance. In other words, using technology to fight technology. Yet even he admits that may only solve part of the problem.
As smart glasses become more common in public places, tools like the Near Glasses app aim to help people stay aware of possible hidden recording devices. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The app is useful but not perfect
Like any detection tool, proximity glasses have limitations. Bluetooth signals don’t always reveal exactly which device is nearby. For example, a device from the same manufacturer could trigger an alert. This means that a headset or other gadget may appear as a possible pair of smart glasses.
False positives are possible. However, these alerts still give users insight into nearby devices that may be capturing data. For now, the app is only available for Android. The developer said an iPhone version could come in the future, depending on time and demand.
How to stay safe with smart glasses
Smart glasses are becoming more and more common. While tools like nearby glasses can help, awareness is the best defense. Here are several ways to protect your privacy.
Pay attention to visible camera indicators
Some smart glasses include small LED lights that turn on while recording. If you notice a light in someone’s footage, they may be filming.
Speak up if you feel uncomfortable
If you think someone is recording you in a private setting, you can ask them directly. Many people stop when confronted.
Avoid sensitive conversations in busy areas
Wearable cameras thrive in public environments where people are distracted. Avoid discussing personal information in places where a recording could take place.
Turn off Bluetooth visibility on your own devices
Limiting the signals broadcast by your devices can reduce the ease with which others track or analyze your material.
WORLD’S THINNEST AI GLASSES INCLUDE BUILT-IN AI ASSISTANT
Stay informed about wearable technology
Smart glasses are evolving rapidly. Learning how they work helps you recognize when someone might be using one nearby.
Mark Zuckerberg wears Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses during a speech at the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California, September 17, 2025. (Reuters/Carlos Barria)
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Kurt’s Key Takeaways
Smart glasses represent a strange moment in the evolution of technology. On the one hand, they promise convenience. People can capture hands-free moments or access digital information instantly. On the other hand, they blur the line between daily life and constant surveillance. Apps like Near Glasses show that some people are already pushing back. They want tools that reveal the presence of hidden cameras nearby. However, technology alone will not resolve the debate. The real question is how society decides to balance innovation with fundamental expectations of privacy.
And that brings us to a bigger question. If cameras can hide in regular glasses, should people be forced to reveal when they record you? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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