On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, a hobbyist-developed Android app called “Nearby Glasses” has gone viral for its ability to notify you if someone in your immediate vicinity is wearing smart glasses, such as the Meta Ray-Ban, Snap Spectacles, or the newly launched Xiaomi AI Glasses.
Developed by Yves Jeanrenaud, a sociologist and hobbyist developer, the app has surged in popularity as a “grassroots counter-surveillance tool” following recent reports that Meta is testing facial recognition features (codenamed “Name Tag”) for its wearable lineup.
How the App Works
The app is built on the principle that while smart glasses may look like regular eyewear, they cannot hide their digital footprint.
- Bluetooth Scanning: The app continuously scans for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) “advertising frames”—the wireless signals that smart glasses use to pair with phones or sync data.
- Manufacturer ID Matching: Jeanrenaud utilized a directory of unique manufacturer IDs to teach the app to recognize the specific signatures of companies like Meta, Luxottica (Ray-Ban’s parent), and Snap.
- Real-Time Alerts: If the app detects a match within a roughly 30-foot range, it sends a push notification to your phone identifying the likely manufacturer.
Key Features & “False Positives”
| Feature | Details |
| Availability | Available on the Google Play Store and GitHub for Android. |
| Privacy | The app itself does not collect or share data; it is an offline scanner. |
| False Positives | Because VR/AR headsets use similar Bluetooth chips, the app may mistakenly flag a Meta Quest headset as smart glasses. |
| iOS Version | Not currently available; Jeanrenaud says an iOS port is “in the making” but faces stricter Bluetooth restrictions from Apple. |
The Societal Context: “Resistance Against Surveillance”
The viral success of “Nearby Glasses” reflects a growing public unease with the normalization of always-on cameras.
- Transparency Gap: Unlike smartphones, which people must hold up to record, smart glasses can record video and audio discreetly. While Meta includes a white LED recording indicator, critics argue it is easily ignored or tampered with.
- Facial Recognition Fears: The app’s release coincided with a New York Times report that Meta is working on “Name Tag,” a feature that would allow smart glass wearers to identify strangers and gather public information about them in real-time using Meta AI.
- Ethical Warning: The developer has included a strong warning in the app’s GitHub repository: “Harassing someone because you think they are wearing a covert surveillance device can be a criminal offense.” The app is intended as a tool for awareness, not a reason for confrontation.
“I consider it to be a tiny part of resistance against surveillance tech… people want to know when they are being watched.” — Yves Jeanrenaud
