New App Detects Hidden Smart Glasses

A free mobile application named ZuckOff has been developed by Polish developer Pawel Szydlowski to detect the presence of smart glasses using Bluetooth technology. Launched in August, the app has garnered significant attention, with over 5,000 downloads on the App Store and 1,000 on the Google Play Store.

The rise of smart glasses has brought privacy concerns, particularly regarding unsolicited filming. Venues such as schools and cinemas are beginning to prohibit their use. ZuckOff analyzes the unique Bluetooth signals broadcast by various smart glasses, including models from Ray-Ban Meta and Snap Spectacles, to identify their proximity.

While ZuckOff cannot determine if a pair of glasses is actively recording or identify the wearer, it provides proximity information. This feature aims to make an invisible threat partially visible, offering a measure of protection until legislative action is taken. California and other regions have already begun criminalizing the disabling of recording lights or filming individuals without consent.

The app is designed to be legally resilient, as it does not interfere with the glasses' signals. A basic scanning feature is free, with a Pro version available for $25, offering advanced features like history logging and background monitoring.