Newsom Vetoes California SB 1130 Smart Glasses Recording Ban
Gavin Newsom vetoed California SB 1130, saying its smart-glasses recording ban was too broad, despite growing privacy fears around wearable camera technology.
Summary
California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 1130 on Wednesday, returning the legislature-approved measure to lawmakers. Newsom said its definition of wearable recording devices was too broad or imprecise, creating potential confusion and unintended consequences, and that it duplicated existing California protections. The bill would have made California the first state to regulate smart glasses by requiring explicit consent before recording people in public. Violators could have faced fines or prison, while noncompliant wearable manufacturers also faced fines. Norway is considering a potential ban.
Author and state Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes said SB 1130 addressed the rapid rollout of always-listening technology. Internet-connected glasses from Meta and Snap carry cameras and microphones capable of capturing nearby activity, and Meta sold more than 7 million glasses last year. AI-powered pendants have also launched to mixed reactions. Reports of wearers recording and harassing people have fueled the label “pervert glasses.” Last month, Apple announced that its latest Apple Watch software will let users replay a transcript of the previous 15 seconds and recap and summarize conversations from the day.
Positives
- Newsom said the veto avoids confusion and unintended consequences from SB 1130’s broad or imprecise definition.
- SB 1130 cleared California’s legislature and would have required explicit consent before recording people in public.
- Fines, possible prison terms and manufacturer penalties would have created enforcement mechanisms against secret wearable recording.
- Norway is considering a potential ban as governments examine stronger safeguards for camera-equipped wearables.
Risks & concerns
- Newsom’s veto prevents California from becoming the first state to regulate smart glasses.
- Reports of wearable users recording and harassing people have fueled the derogatory label “pervert glasses.”
- Meta sold more than 7 million glasses last year, expanding the reach of devices carrying cameras and microphones.
- Apple’s latest Watch software can retrieve the previous 15 seconds of conversation and summarize discussions from the day.
- SB 1130 duplicated some existing protections and defined wearable recording devices too broadly or imprecisely, Newsom said.