Press Release

Reyes Proposes Clear Protections Against Secret Recordings Using Wearable Technology

Reyes Proposes Clear Protections Against Secret Recordings Using Wearable Technology

Violations by individuals, manufacturers, or distributers would be punishable by fine or imprisonment

Sacramento, CA — Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes (D–Colton), today introduced legislation to strengthen privacy protections related to wearable recording devices, such as smart glasses. The Wearable Device Privacy Protection Act or Senate Bill (SB) 1130, would establish clear, enforceable rules to prevent secret audio or video recordings in places of business and ensure that recording lights are always visible to those around such devices.

“Californians have a constitutional right to privacy, and our laws must evolve as quickly as technology, to prevent harm,” said Senator Reyes. “Secretly recording someone under the guise of prescription-style glasses – especially when many people don’t even know this technology exists – has real consequences. We have an obligation as lawmakers to put a stop to it.”

Many wearable devices include small indicator lights to signal when recording is occurring. However, these indicators can be subtle, easily overlooked, or potentially disabled through software or hardware modification. This creates new risks of covert surveillance in semi-private environments such as offices, medical facilities, retail establishments, and other business settings where individuals may share sensitive personal, financial, or health information.

SB 1130 sets straightforward guardrails so the public and businesses know exactly what is allowed and what is not:

  • Requires explicit consent before any wearable device records individuals or groups inside a place of business.
  • Prohibits disabling recording indicator lights on wearable recording devices.
  • Holds all parties accountable:
    • Individuals would violate the law if they record without consent or disable the recording light.
    • Manufacturers and distributors would be prohibited from producing or selling devices or kits that would prevent recording indicator light from turning on.

Violations of these provisions would be punishable by fine or imprisonment, consistent with similar privacy protections under California’s penal code.

By clarifying that wearable recording devices must follow the same consent expectations Californians already rely on in other contexts, the Wearable Device Privacy Protection Act closes a growing gap between rapidly advancing technology and long-standing privacy protections.

SB 1130 was introduced on February 17 and will be assigned to policy committees for analysis and hearing dates in the coming days. To learn more about Reyes, visit https://sd29.senate.ca.gov/.