California Governor Newsom Vetoes Smart Glasses Privacy Bill
- Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation on Wednesday that would have penalized people for using smart glasses to record others without permission in private spaces like changing rooms and doctor’s...
- Governor Newsom wrote in a letter explaining his decision that the bill’s definition of a wearable recording device was too broad.
- TechNet, an advocacy group representing notable tech companies including Meta, Google, and Amazon, strongly opposed the bill.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation on Wednesday that would have penalized people for using smart glasses to record others without permission in private spaces like changing rooms and doctor’s offices, engadget.com reported. The bill, designated SB 1130, also would have required wearable manufacturers to include a visible recording indicator starting in 2028 and banned the sale of tech designed to mask recording lights or sounds.
Governor Newsom Vetoes Smart Glasses Restriction Over Broad Definitions
Governor Newsom wrote in a letter explaining his decision that the bill’s definition of a wearable recording device was too broad. He noted that certain smartwatches and other worn devices widely used in public spaces could fall under the restrictions, which he warned would lead to significant confusion and unintended consequences, according to engadget.com reporting.
Under the vetoed legislation, individuals found guilty of secretly recording others would have faced fines of up to $1,500 and possible prison time. Companies manufacturing wearables without recording indicators or producing tech designed to block those indicators would have faced fines up to $2,500 per violation.
TechNet Opposes Bill Citing Existing California Privacy Laws
TechNet, an advocacy group representing notable tech companies including Meta, Google, and Amazon, strongly opposed the bill. TechNet Executive Director Robert Boykin stated that California already has extensive laws governing unlawful recording and argued that SB 1130 was not the right approach.
California already bans people from using electronic devices to record others in areas where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. The state enforces a two-party consent law requiring all participants in a conversation to agree before it can be recorded. State Sen. Eloise Gómez Reyes, who authored the bill, argued that the legislation would have helped the state respond to the rapid growth of smart glasses, noting that Meta Ray-Bans sold more than 7 million units in the prior year.
Consumer Reports Backs Wearable Privacy Measures
Consumer Reports advocated for stronger privacy protections surrounding wearable smart devices because users cannot easily tell when someone is recording with glasses compared to a smartphone or traditional camera. Justin Brookman, director of technology policy for Consumer Reports, pointed to documented incidents where individuals were secretly filmed with smart glasses in private settings like gyms and wax studios.
Despite the veto, Meta defended the utility of its devices, highlighting an initiative that provides smart glasses to blinded veterans to assist them in reading documents and identifying objects. A Meta spokesperson stated that the company remains in the early stages of building the technology and is committed to prioritizing privacy moving forward.