California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed Senate Bill 1130, a proposed law aiming to ban the secret use of wearable recording devices like smart glasses to record people without consent. Passed by the state legislature, the bill sought to make California the first state to regulate this emerging technology, addressing privacy concerns that have grown alongside the rise of always-listening, camera-equipped wearables. Newsom rejected the bill, citing concerns over its broad and unclear definitions, which could cause confusion and unintended legal consequences, alongside noting that existing laws already provide similar protections.

The legislation targeted devices often referred to as “pervert glasses,” a nickname stemming from reports of these wearables being misused for surreptitious recording and harassment in public. The bill intended to penalize individuals who secretly recorded people with devices such as internet-connected glasses and AI-powered wearables, with fines or imprisonment for violators. Additionally, manufacturers failing to comply with the regulations could also be fined. California’s move mirrored international discussions, like those in Norway, where restrictions on camera-enabled wearables are being considered due to privacy and ethical concerns.

Meta and Snap have emerged as major players in the wearable glasses market, with Meta selling over 7 million pairs last year alone. These devices typically feature cameras and microphones that can continuously listen and record, raising alarm about privacy infringements. Parallelly, other wearable innovations continue to launch, such as AI-powered note-taking pendants, contributing to the debate on balancing technological progress with individual privacy rights. Apple recently announced new always-listening AI features in its Apple Watch software, underscoring the trend of ubiquitous recording functionality in consumer devices.

Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes, who authored the bill, emphasized the urgency in addressing the rapid deployment of always-listening technology. Though the veto stalls California’s attempt to pioneer legislation regulating smart glasses, the discussion underscores growing public and legislative scrutiny regarding wearable tech privacy. This debate continues as technology evolves and lawmakers worldwide grapple with appropriate safeguards to protect individuals from covert surveillance while accommodating innovation.