How to stop Google seeing you: Scientists produce 'Anti-Glass' specs that BLOCK eye-wear technology (but they aren't very trendy)

Japanese researchers develop 'Anti-Google Glass' technology



Uses near infrared light to stop wearers from seeing their face



Controversial Google Glasses on limited release to 2,000 people





Japanese researchers have developed ‘Anti-Google Glass’ technology which stops those wearing the specs from seeing their face.

The team have created their own pair of specs which have 11 LEDs on them which emit near infrared light into Google Glass’ cameras.

The light is not visible to the human eye, but on film it is so bright that you cannot see the person’s face.

Scroll down for video demo



The privacy visor glasses use near infrared light to stop Google Glass capturing your face on film

The research is the most extreme instance yet of people trying to avoid being filmed or have their picture taken by Google Glass.

The glasses, which cost $1,500 a pair (£980), are currently on limited release to 2,000 people but will be more widely available later this year.

They have caused concern because they have a camera next to the wearer’s eye which can take photos or record video without a red light or a shutter sound to tell others that it is working

The ‘Anti Google Glass’ technology currently only works on camera lenses which are sensitive to infrared light.

The specs have 11 LEDs on them which emit near infrared light into Google Glass' cameras

The light is not visible to the human eye, but on film it is so bright that you cannot see the person's face

But lead researcher professor Isao Echizen of the National Institute of Informatics in Japan said they were working on reflective materials which will have the same effect and be less obtrusive.

He said: ‘Light from these near infrared LEDs can’t be seen by the human eye, but when it passes through the camera’s imaging device, it appears bright’.

In a video posted online by the NII he also says that he developed the technology because he is especially worried about facial recognition software which has not yet been developed, but could soon come in the future.

Wearing sunglasses is not enough and will not stop your face from being detected as you can be identified using your nose as well as your eyes.

A Google Glass porn app was banned instantly after X-rated film producers said they wanted to use it to explore point-of-view shots.

The glasses were developed by National Institute of Informatics in Japan and unveiled at a press event

Co-founder Sergey Brin wearing the glasses at Google headquarters in in California earlier this year THE 'ANTI-GOOGLE GLASSES'

11 LEDs emit near infrared light into Google Glass’ cameras

Light is not visible to the human eye

On film it is so bright you cannot see person’s face.

Only works on camera lenses which are sensitive to infrared light

Company working on reflective materials which will have 'same effect and be less obtrusive' Cafe owners in the US have banned it from their premises to respect the privacy of customers.

And those wearing the technology could be banned from American strip clubs, cinemas and casinos because their owners don’t want them filming there.

Lap dance clubs in America said that they would treat those wearing the Internet-connected specs the same as anyone caught filming a stripper with a cameraphone - and would kick them out.

Google’s chairman Eric Schmidt once admitted that the aim with Google Glass was to ‘go right up to the creepy line and not cross it’.

But the public clearly feels differently and in France those wearing Google Glass style specs have been subjected to ‘cyber discrimination’.