A new mobile app called Nearby Glasses will ping your phone if it detects an active pair of Smart Glasses nearby. Built as a privacy-focused tool, the app aims to give people a heads-up when someone in their vicinity might be wearing glasses that can record video or audio.

Why this matters

Smart Glasses are becoming more common as major tech companies invest in wearable AI and camera-equipped eyewear. That increased presence has raised concerns about covert recording, facial recognition and broader surveillance — from worries over workplace misuse to incidents involving privacy violations in sensitive settings.

How the app works

Nearby Glasses scans for Bluetooth broadcasts and specific signals that some Smart Glasses and similar devices emit. When one of those identifiable signals appears within a relatively short range, the app sends a push notification so you can decide how to respond.

Practical use

  • You receive a notification if a compatible signal is detected nearby.
  • The alert is intended to give you the opportunity to move away, ask a question, or otherwise protect your privacy.
  • The developer, Yves Jeanrenaud, says the tool is meant as a small technological countermeasure to the growing spread of surveillance-capable wearables.

Limitations and cautions

The creator admits the detection isn’t perfect. Signal overlap can cause false positives — for example, some VR headsets or other Bluetooth devices can trip the same checks. The app itself warns users to approach any detected person with caution; they may simply be wearing ordinary glasses.

Jeanrenaud describes the project as “a tiny part of resistance against surveillance tech,” a purposely modest tech response to a social problem accelerated by new gadgets. He also predicts users may confront detected wearers if they feel threatened or uncomfortable.

Availability

Nearby Glasses is currently available on Google Play for Android users. There is no announced release date for iOS at this time.

Whether it’s a complete solution or just a helpful nudge, the app highlights the ongoing debate about privacy, consent and the social impact of always-on recording devices in public spaces.