March 4, 2026, 5:03 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Smart glasses with cameras are becoming increasingly inconspicuous in everyday life. A new app aims to provide more transparency and inform users when compatible devices are active nearby.
Smart glasses with integrated cameras are no longer science fiction. Models with recording functions are appearing more frequently in cafes, pedestrian zones, or public transportation. What once seemed like a tech gimmick is becoming more practical and thus less noticeable. This gives many people an uneasy feeling. The question is: Are you being filmed without knowing it? This is where the new app “Nearby Glasses” comes in. It aims to provide more transparency and warn users when compatible smart glasses are active nearby.
How Nearby Glasses Detects Smart Glasses
The app works with a Bluetooth scan. Specifically, it searches for Bluetooth Low Energy signals. Many smart glasses emit these signals when connecting to a smartphone. If the app detects a matching identifier, users receive a notification. According to the developer, the detection is currently designed for glasses models from Meta, Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Snap.
iOS 26.2 Introduces New Lock Screen Customization
New iOS Update Delivers Promised Improvements
Open Source and No Data Collection
The project was developed by Yves Jeanrenaud. He has released the software on GitHub as an open-source application. This means the source code is freely accessible. Interested parties can see exactly how the app works. According to the project description, Nearby Glasses does not collect personal data. The app also avoids advertising and does not use trackers. The analysis is limited solely to publicly broadcast Bluetooth signatures.
However, the app does not work flawlessly. The developer explicitly points out that false alarms can occur. The detection is based on manufacturer identifiers in Bluetooth data. As a result, other devices with similar identification features, such as VR headsets, could also be detected. Therefore, the developer advises caution. Even if you receive a warning message, you should not react hastily. A person with glasses nearby may just be wearing regular eyewear.
Also of interest: Meta Could Soon Revive Deceased Users
iOS Version Planned
Currently, Nearby Glasses is available for free in the Google Play Store for Android devices. Whether and when a version for iOS will appear is still open. The developer considers an iPhone version feasible. The necessary development tools are available. However, for a release in the Apple App Store, he would need to delve deeper into iOS programming. It may only be a matter of time before iOS users can also install the app.