California Governor Newsom Vetoed Bill Banning Secret Recording with Smart Glasses

California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 1130, which would have made it unlawful to secretly record people using wearable devices. Newsom cited the bill’s imprecise definition of "wearable recording devices" and noted that existing state laws already provide similar protections. The legislation aimed to address concerns over always-listening tech, such as Meta and Snap glasses, by requiring explicit consent for recording in public places. Had it passed, violators faced fines or prison time, and non-compliant manufacturers could also be fined. This move prevents California from becoming the first state to regulate smart glasses usage, a step other countries like Norway are considering.