ZuckOff, a free Bluetooth detection app developed by 30-year-old Polish developer Pawel Szydlowski, identifies the presence of smart glasses in a user's vicinity. In its launch month, the app was downloaded over 5,000 times on Apple’s App Store and 1,000 times on the Google Play Store. Meta’s smart glasses have faced scrutiny due to concerns about unsolicited filming, leading some venues, including schools and cinemas, to ban their use.
Szydlowski created a digital fingerprint for various smart glasses by recording their Bluetooth signals. He purchased the necessary hardware to compile data that alerts users when a unique identifier matches a manufacturer identifier, detecting models such as Ray-Ban Meta, Oakley Meta, and Snap Spectacles. A BBC investigation in January highlighted instances of content filmed with Meta glasses, including a case where a 21-year-old woman's face and phone number were shared, garnering over 1.3 million views.
The recording indicator light on these glasses can be easily disabled, allowing wearers to record without detection. Approximately seven million pairs of Meta’s smart glasses were sold in 2025. In July, Meta announced plans to update the glasses to detect when an LED light has been tampered with, preventing unauthorized recording. Meta's chief technology officer, Andrew Bosworth, stated that the design of the camera is intended to be noticeable to those nearby, despite its marketing as a discreet device.
ZuckOff does not indicate whether the glasses are recording or identify the wearer; it only provides proximity information based on signal strength. This app addresses a growing concern until further legislative measures are implemented. Legally, it is challenging for Meta to take action against the app since it does not intercept data and operates within legal parameters. The basic scanning feature of ZuckOff is free on iPhone, while a Pro version offers additional features such as continuous background monitoring, alerts, and sighting history.