California Governor Vetoes Bill on Smart Glasses Recording

California Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday vetoed legislation that would have penalized residents for using smart glasses to record people without their permission in changing rooms, doctor's offices, and other spaces generally considered private.

The legislation would have also required companies making smart glasses or other wearable devices, starting in 2028, to include a light or other indicator that the person is recording audio or video. It would have banned the sale of technology designed to conceal recording lights or sounds on smart devices.

In his veto letter, Newsom stated that the bill's definition of a wearable recording device was too broad. He noted that California already prohibits recording someone without their consent in private spaces. The bill's sponsor, State Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes, argued it was necessary to address the rapid growth of the technology and protect individual privacy.

TechNet, a trade group representing executives from companies including Meta, Google, and Amazon, had opposed the bill, stating that California's existing laws sufficiently address unlawful recording and that the proposed legislation was not the right approach. Meta has highlighted the privacy features in its smart glasses and its commitment to developing the technology responsibly.