California Governor Vetoes Bill Banning Use of Wearable Recording Devices
California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed Senate Bill 1130, which aimed to ban the use of wearable recording devices like smart glasses for secret surveillance. In a letter to lawmakers, Newsom stated that the bill's definition of such devices was too broad and could lead to confusion or unintended consequences. He also noted that some protections included in the bill already exist under current California law. The proposed legislation would have made it illegal to record people without their explicit consent using wearable tech like Meta’s smart glasses, which sold over 7 million units last year. Violators faced potential fines and imprisonment if the bill had passed. The author of the bill, Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes, argued that California needed a response to the growing use of always-listening devices. The rejection highlights ongoing debates around privacy in an era where wearable technology increasingly includes cameras and microphones capable of constant recording.
Topics: California cybersecurity Meta Privacy Security Snap