Wearable legislation, worldwide.
Bills in the pipeline, laws already passed, and regulatory actions that affect what you can wear, where, and what companies can do with your data. Updated as laws change.
HB 4843 — Smart glasses banned while driving
Expands Illinois distracted driving law to explicitly include AI-powered smart glasses. Excludes smart glasses from hands-free exemptions. Passed the state legislature June 2026; signed by Gov. Pritzker July 31, 2026 as Public Act 104-0682, effective immediately. Illinois is the first US state to specifically ban smart glasses while driving.
New York courts — smart glasses banned in every courthouse
The New York State Unified Court System prohibits smart glasses — any eyewear or headwear containing a camera, microphone or computer, prescription or not — inside every court facility in the state, more than 1,240 state, county, city, town and village courts. Announced in a July 1, 2026 memorandum from the Office of Court Administration and effective July 20, 2026. It applies to everyone entering a building: court staff, attorneys, litigants, witnesses, family members and the public. Anyone arriving wearing them must surrender them to uniformed court officers. It is the first statewide ban of its kind in the United States.
Japan APPI amendments — biometric data restrictions
Approved April 2026. Japan's amended Act on the Protection of Personal Information introduces stricter rules for biometric data from wearables. Users can now demand an immediate stop to biometric data use including facial recognition. Creates a narrow AI research exemption under strict conditions.
EU AI Act — high-risk classification for biometric wearables
In force August 2024. Classifies AI-powered wearables performing real-time biometric identification in public as high-risk. Requires risk management systems, data governance controls, human oversight, and transparency. Full enforcement originally August 2, 2026 — European Commission proposed a delay while harmonized standards are still being developed.
HMCTS — smart glasses prohibited in courts and tribunals
His Majesty's Courts & Tribunals Service prohibits Meta smart glasses in every criminal, civil and family court in England and Wales. Glasses are confiscated at the entrance and returned when the wearer leaves. HMCTS: "There are clear restrictions on taking images or videos within courts and tribunals which is why the use of Meta glasses is prohibited." Smartphones keep their existing exception provided they are not used to record; smart glasses get no equivalent, because a phone cannot be worn on the face unnoticed. Confirmed in force on August 11, 2026.
HB 2603 — Visual recording indicator required on wearable recording devices
Rep. Joe Ciresi (D, House District 146) would make it an offence to operate a wearable recording device on another person without their knowledge where the device has no visual recording indicator, or where the indicator has been disabled. The bill amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) in the wiretapping and electronic surveillance chapter and imposes penalties. It also requires retailers to inform buyers of Pennsylvania's recording laws. Referred to the House Communications & Technology Committee on June 5, 2026 and not moved since.
HIPRA — Health Information Privacy Reform Act
Would extend HIPAA-like protections to health data from consumer wearables including Apple Watch and Oura Ring. Introduced November 2025 by Sen. Bill Cassidy. Classifies wearable manufacturers as regulated entities. Prohibits selling health data without explicit consent. Has not advanced in committee.
Smartwatch Data Act
Bipartisan bill by Sens. Jacky Rosen and Bill Cassidy requiring consumer consent before wearable health data can be sold or shared. First introduced 2019 (116th Congress, S. 2885); reintroduced 2021-02-26 (117th Congress, S. 500). No confirmed reintroduction since. Has not advanced. Companion legislation to HIPRA addressing the same HIPAA coverage gap for consumer wearable devices.
Norway — temporary ban on camera-equipped smart glasses in public places proposed
Norway's government has announced that it will propose a temporary ban on camera-equipped smart glasses in public places where privacy matters most, including schools, kindergartens, playgrounds, youth clubs, healthcare facilities and gym changing rooms. Reports say it is also weighing beaches, parks, museums, shopping centers, concerts and sports venues. Private use at home stays allowed. The pause would give an expert panel time to decide which kinds of devices are covered and to draft permanent national rules, and exceptions are planned for vulnerable groups and uses such as translation and navigation. It would be the first national ban of its kind. Reported October 5, 2026; no bill has been numbered and no start date is given.
EU GDPR enforcement — smart glasses AI training inquiry
Renew Europe MEPs wrote to the European Commission on June 4, 2026 demanding action after a Swedish investigation found Meta contractors reviewed deeply private footage from smart glasses — including bathroom visits and sexual activity — for AI training. Commission asked to take concrete action on GDPR compliance.
UK ICO — Meta smart glasses data protection investigation
UK Information Commissioner's Office formally wrote to Meta in March 2026 requesting information on compliance with UK data protection law, following the Swedish investigation into Meta contractor footage reviews. ICO stated devices should put users in control and provide transparency, including for AI training data use.
China CAICT — smart glasses voluntary code of conduct
China Academy of Information and Communications Technology issued a voluntary nationwide code of conduct for smart glasses on June 25, 2026. Urges manufacturers to obtain explicit consent before recording, standardizes LED recording indicators, and requires minimum data collection. Follows a Rokid scandal in which flight attendants were recorded without consent. Code is entirely voluntary — no legal enforcement mechanism.
SB 1130 — Wearable Device Privacy Protection Act
Would have made it a misdemeanor to secretly record people with a wearable device in places like changing rooms and doctors offices, and required manufacturers to include a recording indicator. Governor Newsom vetoed it on 2026-10-01, saying the definition of "wearable recording device" was broad enough to sweep in ordinary smartwatches used in public.