SACRAMENTO — California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed SB 1130 on September 30, 2026, rejecting legislation that would have penalized the use of smart glasses to record people without permission in private spaces. The bill sought to mandate visible recording indicators on wearable devices and impose fines on manufacturers of non-compliant technology. "AI should expand opportunity – not come at the expense of workers and families," Newsom said. "As this technology reshapes the workplace, California is putting people at the center," he said.

SB 1130 would have required companies manufacturing smart glasses or wearable devices to include a visible light or other indicator showing when video or audio recording is active, starting in 2028. The legislation also would have banned the sale of technology designed to conceal recording lights or sounds on smart devices.

Violations by individuals who secretly recorded others could have resulted in prison time or fines of up to $1,500. Companies that manufactured non-compliant devices faced fines of up to $2,500 per violation.

State Sen. Eloise Gómez Reyes authored the bill, which was introduced on February 17, 2026, and amended multiple times in both the Assembly and Senate before being passed. "Whatever we can do to protect an individual’s right to privacy, we have to do," Reyes said.

Reyes added, "The stories are enough to cause alarm, and we need to do something as soon as we can." Consumer Reports supported the measure, emphasizing that wearable recording technologies pose unique privacy risks because it is harder for people to detect when they are being recorded compared to traditional cameras or phones.

In his veto letter, Gov. Newsom stated that the bill's definition of a wearable recording device was too broad. He noted that California law already prohibits recording individuals without consent in spaces generally considered private.

TechNet Executive Director Robert Boykin opposed SB 1130, stating it was not the right approach to addressing unlawful recording concerns. "California already has extensive laws governing unlawful recording, and as currently written, SB 1130 is not the right approach to addressing these concerns," Boykin said.

A Meta spokesperson stated the company is committed to prioritizing privacy as it builds smart glass technology. Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses were sold last year. The first generation of these glasses was released in 2021. "We’re still in the early days of building this technology and we’re committed to continuing prioritizing privacy as we build," Meta spokesperson said.

California is one of approximately twelve states that require two-party consent for audio or video recording of conversations. The legislature may attempt to override the veto if it chooses to do so.

Timeline

Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses were released in 2021. Gov. Newsom previously vetoed a predecessor to SB 947 in October 2025, citing concerns about unfocused notification requirements for businesses using AI tools.

A federal judge halted enforcement of a California law earlier this year that sought to ban federal law enforcement officers from wearing masks. California Gov. Newsom vetoed SB 1130 on February 17, 2026, after the bill was introduced by Senator Reyes on that date and amended multiple times. On September 30, 2026, California Gov. Newsom vetoed SB 1130, legislation that would have penalized the use of smart glasses to record people without permission in private spaces. On that same date, he noted in his veto letter that California law already prohibits recording individuals without consent in spaces generally considered private.

What's New

Later reporting confirmed that he vetoed SB 1130, which was introduced by Senator Reyes on February 17, 2026, and amended multiple times before being passed. The bill was vetoed, and the next step is that it may be overridden by the legislature if they choose to do so.

Additional context shows that he has previously vetoed similar privacy-related legislation, including a predecessor to SB 947 in October 2025, due to concerns over unfocused notification requirements for businesses using AI tools. Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO, supported the signing of SB 947. "Today, California's workers and our unions have changed the national narrative on how Americans can fight back and win against AI taking over our jobs and workplaces," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez also stated, "We’re glad Governor Newsom is catching up with the overwhelming sentiment of the American people on AI and starting to lead on this issue." Robert Singleton of the Chamber of Progress urged him to veto SB 947, arguing the term 'primarily relies' is undefined and creates uncertainty for employers. He stated he would not run for president in 2028 if Kamala Harris entered the race, adding, "There will not be a free and fair election in 2028 unless we take back the House of Representatives."

Why It Matters

The veto shows the ongoing tension between technological innovation and privacy regulation in California. With Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses sold in 2025, the rapid adoption of wearable recording technology has prompted legislative efforts to address potential abuses. Supporters argue that existing laws are insufficient for devices that can record discreetly, while opponents and the governor maintain that current statutes adequately protect privacy in private spaces.

This decision fits into a broader pattern of his approach to technology regulation, having signed multiple AI-related bills while vetoing others he deemed overly broad or poorly defined. The legislature now faces the choice of accepting the veto or attempting an override, which would require a two-thirds vote in both chambers.