Cheap IR lens privacy hack
A new report recommends a simple infrared‑coated lens upgrade for glasses as an affordable way to frustrate public facial‑recognition systems — a practical privacy hack for anyone using smart eyewear. (bgr.com)
Zenni Optical officially launched its “Zenni ID Guard” lens coating in a July 8, 2025 press release announcing a privacy-focused upgrade for everyday glasses. (prnewswire.com) The company says the coating reflects near‑infrared light and Zenni and industry reporting note it can reflect up to roughly 80% of near‑IR wavelengths used by many facial‑mapping systems. (optometricmanagement.com) Zenni lists ID Guard as available now on many of its lenses, included free with certain EyeQLenz products or as an add‑on for $14.95 on other lenses. (zennioptical.com) Independent testers and reviewers have posted demonstration videos and live tests showing the ID Guard lenses can interfere with Apple Face ID and some retail‑camera scans, though results vary by device and setup. (youtube.com) Other firms already sell dedicated IR‑blocking or IR‑reflective eyewear — for example, Reflectacles markets IR‑absorbing lenses and frames priced in the roughly $208–$228 range. (reflectacles.com) Zenni warns the coating can disrupt legitimate biometric unlocks (Face ID, Windows Hello) and some reviews and product briefs note a faint pink tint on treated lenses that users may notice. (zennioptical.com)
