Android App Warns Users About Nearby Meta Smart Glasses

A German academic has released a new Android app that helps users detect when Meta's smart glasses are nearby, addressing growing concerns about non-consensual surveillance through wearable technology.

How the App Works

Yves Jeanrenaud, deputy professor at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, published Nearby Glasses last week as an open-source Android application. The app leverages Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology to scan for manufacturer identifiers that are broadcast by smart glasses, including Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses.

According to Jeanrenaud's GitHub repository, the app "notifies you when smart glasses are nearby" by examining company identifiers in Bluetooth data packets. In a detailed LinkedIn post, he explained the technical mechanism: "Bluetooth devices broadcast small advertising packets. Even though MAC addresses (identifying a particular device) and service UUIDs (identifying what they are doing) are randomized, manufacturer company IDs in BLE advertising frames are mandatory and immutable."

The app specifically scans for these manufacturer identifiers in BLE ADV frames, providing users with warnings when compatible devices are detected in their vicinity.

Limitations and False Positives

Jeanrenaud has been transparent about the app's limitations. The software may generate false positives from other Bluetooth hardware manufactured by the same company, such as Meta VR headsets. "Hence, please proceed with caution when approaching a person nearby wearing glasses," he advised. "They might just be regular glasses, despite this app's warning."

The GitHub repository includes a prominent warning to users not to harass anyone based on suspicion of covert surveillance arising from the app's output. This caution comes in the wake of reported incidents where individuals have confronted people wearing smart glasses.

Growing Concerns About Smart Glasses

The release of Nearby Glasses reflects mounting public anxiety about wearable surveillance technology. In December, a woman on the New York subway allegedly smashed the Meta AI glasses worn by a TikTok user, an incident that went viral and highlighted widespread social discomfort with non-consensual recording.

These concerns echo the backlash that occurred over a decade ago when Google released network-connected eyewear known as Google Glass. The phenomenon of "glassholes" emerged as people pushed back against the perceived invasion of privacy.

More recently, troubling reports have surfaced about individuals using smart glasses for surreptitious recording. Some content creators have allegedly used the devices to secretly record encounters with women, posting the footage to social media platforms to create misogynistic content.

Meta's Response and Legal Context

When asked to comment, a Meta spokesperson defended their product, stating: "Unlike smartphones, our glasses have an LED light that activates whenever someone captures content, so it's clear the device is recording. Our terms of service clearly state that users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and for using Ray-Ban Meta glasses in a safe, respectful manner."

However, Jeanrenaud points out that the LED indicator can be easily disabled, with YouTube videos demonstrating how to do so. He also notes that many people don't recognize smart glasses as recording devices at all.

While recording video in public is generally legal, the situation becomes more complex when audio recording captures specific conversations or when facial recognition technology is involved. Purdue Global Law School recently warned that "Increasingly, smart glasses collect biometric data, and that's when they become problematic. Facial recognition, voiceprint recording, and other features can implicate a range of privacy laws."

The legal landscape varies by jurisdiction. Eleven states require consent from both parties for audio recording, and there are concerns about potential violations of state wiretapping laws.

Real-World Incidents

The controversy surrounding smart glasses has already reached the courtroom. Last week, a California judge criticized members of Mark Zuckerberg's team for wearing Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses in court, contrary to established court rules. Zuckerberg was testifying in a social media addiction trial based on allegations that Meta and YouTube designed their services to be addictive to young people.

The Future of Wearable Surveillance

Jeanrenaud acknowledges that his app is "not a perfect solution" but hopes it provides some measure of security. He cites Meta's reported plans to add facial recognition to its glasses as particularly concerning.

"Until consent and privacy are treated seriously in wearable tech, I hope this tool helps someone feel a little more safe," Jeanrenaud wrote.

The app represents a growing trend of privacy-focused tools designed to counter surveillance technology. As wearable devices become more sophisticated and ubiquitous, similar detection tools may become increasingly common.

For now, Nearby Glasses offers Android users a way to identify potential surveillance devices in their vicinity, though users are cautioned to verify suspicions before taking any action. The app is available through its GitHub repository for those interested in testing this privacy protection tool.