Nearby Glasses, an app developed by my PocketPC GmbH, is helping users identify if someone is wearing smart glasses and recording them without consent. Smart Glasses are becoming more common. Meta has sold more than 7 million smart glasses.
At the same time, the glasses promoted as smart at the same time. It exploits the privacy and security of common people. Multiple report states that users recorded people without their consent.
To solve this issue, Yves Jeanrenaud developed Nearby Glasses. He promised that this app would help users find any person wearing smart glasses nearby. This way, the users can protect themselves from being recorded without consent.
Here is everything about Nearby Glasses that you must know.
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Nearby Glasses:
Nearby Glasses was published on the Google Play Store on Feb 17, 2026. Its first release notes are available on GitHub.
Yves Jeanrenaud explained that the Nearby Glasses app scans the nearby Bluetooth connections to find out if a smart glass is active and recording.
The app uses Bluetooth identification, also known as the BTLE advertising frame, to identify smart glasses.
It displays a notification whenever a smart glass is nearby. Users can customize the distance to track nearby smart glasses.
What Are Smart Glasses:
Meta introduced a series of smart glasses under the Ray-Ban and Oakley brands. Smart Glasses are wearable tech that offer features like AI, hidden cameras, speakers, and microphones. These devices can record on the go.
Snap also sells smart glasses.
Google, Samsung, and Apple are also working on smart glass technology.
The rising popularity of smart glasses increases the risk of unauthorized recording.
The New Your Times reported that Meta is also working on a facial recognition technology named “Name Tag.”
This technology gives user ability to scan faces and identify users based on information provided by Meta AI.
Why Nearby Glasses:
The very first question that comes to mind is why we need Nearby Glasses.
Yves Jeanrenaud himself answered this question. He said that Smart Glasses promote false security and safety.
In fact, it triggers issues related to personal space and privacy violations. Any user wearing a smart glass can record others without even asking for their consent.
To solve the issues, Yves Jeanrenaud introduced the Nearby Glasses app.
The app is available on the Google Play Store only. Jeanrenaud is also working on the iOS version of the Nearby Glasses app.
How the Nearby Glasses App Works?
Once you install the Nearby Glasses app. It takes the following steps:
- Scans the BTLE advertising frame in real time.
- Find out nearby Smart Glasses.
- Sen notification to the app user about smart glasses.
What Can You Do If Someone Uses Smart Glasses?
If someone is using smart glasses without user consent, then you can either ask the person to remove the glasses and stop recording or leave the place immediately.
This practice can save you from theft and protect your privacy.
Nearby Glasses Limitations:
Nearby Glasses is facing a small issue. It cannot differentiate between a smart glass and a VR headset.
It is the reason why sometimes it sends a notification even when the other person is wearing a VR headset.
The second issue is the no availability of the iOS app.
Jeanrenaud is working on solving these issues.
We tried to get Meta and Snap’s comments on Nearby Glasses. But there is no official reply.
Conclusion:
Nearby Glasses is one of its kind apps. It helps you easily identify nearby Smart Glasses and protect yourself from unauthorized recording.
Tech giants like Meta, Apple, Google, and Snap should also consider these issues and take steps to stop infiltrating people’s privacy.
Smart Glass users should ask others for permission before recording them.
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