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Nearby Glasses and ZuckOff: Apps that detect smart glasses
Smart glasses are convenient but raise privacy concerns. Two apps scan Bluetooth signals to warn you when someone is wearing them nearby.
Smart glasses have moved from concept to reality. Meta recently released a new batch of Ray-Ban smart glasses, and rumor has it Apple may be planning a pair. The appeal is clear: you can take hands-free photos and video during a bike ride or while opening presents. But that convenience also works for someone who wants to record without holding up a phone. Recording lights are often small and can be tampered with.
This has led to a growing backlash. New York courts have banned smart glasses, and a market has emerged for detection tools. Popular Science reports that two main apps now exist to help you identify if smart glasses are nearby: Nearby Glasses and ZuckOff.
Nearby Glasses is free on Android and iOS. It is also open source. The app scans for Bluetooth signals in your area and matches device codenames to known smart glasses. You can adjust the detection range by setting the RSSI threshold. Alerts can run in the background, but only on Android. However, the app cannot detect glasses that have Bluetooth disabled. It also cannot tell you which person is wearing them.
ZuckOff (the name is a jab at Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg) is newer. It is also available on Android and iOS, but it is not open source. Basic scanning is free. Background scanning and a full history file cost $14.99 per year or $29.99 for lifetime access. Like Nearby Glasses, it uses Bluetooth device signals and allows RSSI adjustments. A unique feature: you can register your own wearables to avoid false positives. Again, it is a guide, not a precision tool.
Both apps can help you stay aware of surreptitious recording, but they are not foolproof. Bluetooth can be turned off, and you still have to guess who might be wearing the glasses. Still, as Popular Science notes, they are polished and reliable guides for those who want to know what is around them.
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