Louisiana Proposes Update to In-Person Recording Rules Amid Rise of 'Manfluencers'

The state is looking to crack down on the use of hidden recording devices like smart glasses to harass women.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:00pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A close-up view of a smart glasses device resting on a wooden table, with the frame and lenses casting soft shadows across the surface. The scene has a nostalgic, cinematic quality reminiscent of Edward Hopper's paintings, conveying a sense of solitude and contemplation around the issue of privacy in the digital age.The rise of 'manfluencers' using hidden recording devices like smart glasses has prompted Louisiana to propose new privacy protections for in-person conversations.Larose Today

Louisiana is proposing an update to its in-person recording rules in response to the rise of 'manfluencers' using hidden recording devices like smart glasses to harass women. House Bill 410, introduced by state Rep. Laurie Schlegel, would require anyone recording an in-person conversation to notify those being recorded or potentially face a lawsuit with damages. The bill includes exceptions for recording evidence of civil or criminal offenses, recordings made in the home of the recorder, and recordings of public meetings or events.

Why it matters

The increasing popularity of artificial intelligence-enabled recording technologies like smart glasses has led to more incidents of women being recorded without their approval and facing harassment as a result. This bill aims to address privacy concerns and protect individuals from non-consensual recordings, especially in light of the rise of 'manosphere' influencers and their misogynistic content.

The details

House Bill 410, introduced by state Rep. Laurie Schlegel, R-Metairie, was advanced Monday by the Louisiana House Civil Law Committee. The original bill would have made Louisiana a two-party consent state, requiring everyone present to agree to being recorded. Schlegel amended the bill to only require that all parties be informed of the recording. The bill includes exceptions for recording evidence of civil or criminal offenses, recordings made in the home of the recorder, recordings of police and public officials, and recordings of public meetings, press conferences or rallies.

  • House Bill 410 was advanced by the Louisiana House Civil Law Committee on Monday.

The players

Laurie Schlegel

A Republican state representative from Metairie, Louisiana who introduced House Bill 410 to update the state's in-person recording rules.

Louisiana Press Association

The state's largest organization representing journalists and news outlets, which opposes Schlegel's bill.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'When the legal concept of reasonable expectation of privacy was developed, no one was thinking about smart glasses or AI pendants,'”

— Laurie Schlegel, State Representative

What’s next

The Louisiana House Civil Law Committee will continue to consider House Bill 410 and any further amendments before potentially sending it to the full House for a vote.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation highlights the growing concerns around privacy and the use of emerging technologies like smart glasses to harass individuals, especially women. The bill aims to strike a balance between protecting privacy and allowing for legitimate recording, such as gathering evidence of civil or criminal offenses.