● Covered by 2 sources · 2 reportsLow impact1 neutral
California Governor Vetoes Smart Glasses Privacy Bill SB-1130
Key points
- Governor Newsom vetoed SB-1130.
- The bill would have banned secret smart glasses recording in private business areas.
- It also mandated recording indicators on wearables.
- Newsom cited overly broad language as the reason for the veto.
Governor Vetoes Privacy Bill
California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed Senate Bill 1130 (SB-1130), a piece of legislation aimed at regulating the use of smart glasses and other wearable recording devices. The bill sought to prevent individuals from secretly recording others in private areas of businesses, such as changing rooms and doctors' offices.
Bill's Provisions
SB-1130 included provisions that would have required manufacturers of wearable devices to incorporate a visible indicator when the device was recording video or audio. It also proposed banning the sale of technology designed to obscure such recording indicators. Violators of the secret recording ban would have faced fines up to $1,500 and/or imprisonment, while companies failing to comply with indicator requirements could have faced fines up to $2,500 per violation.
Reason for Veto
Governor Newsom explained his veto by stating that the bill's language was too broad. He noted that the definition of a 'wearable recording device' could encompass common smartwatches and other widely used devices, potentially leading to confusion and unintended consequences. California already has a two-party consent law for recording conversations and prohibits recording in areas with a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Industry Opposition
TechNet, an advocacy group representing various technology companies, had expressed opposition to the bill. The group's concerns likely centered on the potential impact on device manufacturers and the broad scope of the proposed regulations.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 1130, which aimed to ban secret recording with wearable devices, citing broad definitions and existing legal protections. The bill would have made California the first state to regulate smart glasses, imposing fines or prison time for violators and fines for non-compliant wearable manufacturers.
California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed SB-1130, a bill that would have banned secret recording with smart glasses in private business areas and mandated recording indicators on wearables. Newsom cited broad language in the bill, stating it could lead to unintended consequences for widely used devices.