California · Meta · Fortune Technology
Newsom agrees smart glasses need privacy rules—just not the ones California lawmakers wrote
Compiled by KHAO Editorial — aggregated from 1 source. See llms.txt for citation guidance.
◌ Single Source
A phone pointed at a stranger is hard to miss.
Key facts
- Violating the recording or indicator-disabling provisions could have brought up to a year in county jail, a fine of up to $1,500, or both
- Knowing violations of the device-sale requirements could have triggered civil penalties of up to $2,500
- Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have required prominent recording indicators on wearable devices sold in the state beginning in 2028
- And for smart-glasses heavyweight Meta, sales topped 7 million pairs last year, according to eyewear partner EssilorLuxottica
Summary
In California, that warning won’t be coming anytime soon. California is home to several companies betting on smart glasses, but those companies, like Meta and Snap, are also raising privacy questions for people who never chose to wear them. Newsom acknowledged that reports of invasive uses of the technology “demand a legislative response.” But in his veto message, he argued that the bill could sweep in smartwatches and other everyday devices, while duplicating existing privacy protections. Meanwhile, tech companies are working to make smart glasses a familiar sight—even Iron Man has been recruited to help. And for smart-glasses heavyweight Meta, sales topped 7 million pairs last year, according to eyewear partner EssilorLuxottica.