‘Glasshole’ Detector Blocks Google Glass Users’ Wi-Fi

As a form of protest against Google Glass, a Berlin-based artist has come up with a way to boot users from local Wi-Fi networks.

The program, appropriately called Glasshole.sh, allows Wi-Fi hotspot owners to sniff out Glass users and kick them from the network. It involves connecting a USB network antenna to a Raspberry Pi or Beaglebone mini-computer, which then runs the script. The program can also emit a beep when it detects a Glass wearer (not that the hardware is easy to miss).

Artist Julian Oliver came up with the program after reading an NYU student’s negative reaction to Glass wearers at a school exhibition. “[I]t was not possible to know whether they were recording, or even streaming what they were recording to a remote service over WiFi,” Oliver wrote.

Glasshole.sh isn’t a foolproof solution, given that Glass users can still connect to their phones via Bluetooth or personal Wi-Fi hotspot. It’s really just a way for owners of bars, restaurants, theaters and art galleries to make a statement.

Oliver did tell Wired that he’s working on a version of Glasshole.sh that could sever Glass’ phone connection or disconnect it from any network, but doing so would be legally questionable. Oliver said he’ll warn users that this solution should only be used in “extreme circumstances.”

[Wired]