California's New Smart Glasses Privacy Law Gets Vetoed

California just came close to passing the nation's first law specifically protecting people from secret recordings via smart glasses, but Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the bill this week.

The proposed law would have required companies like Meta to include visible recording indicators on smart glasses starting in 2028. It also would have made secretly recording people in private spaces like changing rooms or doctor's offices a crime punishable by fines up to $1,500 or even prison time.

State Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes wrote the bill in response to the explosive growth of AI-powered smart glasses. Meta sold over 7 million Ray-Ban smart glasses last year alone, making it harder for people to tell when they're being recorded compared to someone holding up a phone.

The stories driving the legislation were unsettling. One woman shared on TikTok how her waxing technician wore smart glasses during the appointment, leaving her feeling violated even after being told they weren't recording. Another woman was secretly filmed at a gym and later harassed online after the video went viral.

Governor Newsom explained his veto by saying the bill's definition of wearable recording devices was too broad. California already requires two-party consent before recording conversations, joining about a dozen other states with similar protections.

Tech industry groups including executives from Meta, Google, and Amazon argued the bill would unfairly burden businesses and customers. Meta highlighted how its smart glasses help blinded veterans read documents and identify objects, emphasizing their commitment to privacy-focused development.

The Bright Side

While the bill didn't pass, the conversation itself represents progress. Consumer advocates like Justin Brookman from Consumer Reports say strengthening privacy laws for wearables is crucial as the technology becomes more invisible and widespread.

Senator Reyes remains committed to protecting privacy rights as technology evolves. The national attention this bill received shows states are actively working to help people feel safe in private spaces while still allowing innovation to flourish.

The debate isn't over—it's just beginning, and privacy protections will continue adapting as technology does.