I read that entire article thinking it said driving instructor. Doesn't really change anything but it makes so much more sense that he's a part time diving instructor.
Their Oura comparison really didn't sit well with me because of that. The device clearly uses a fraction of the power that the Oura is using. If it had a rechargeable battery you would not have to charge it that frequently.
That lifespan is based on the user recording for 12 to 15 hours over those two years. It's a $100 device that can record
12 hours of audio and then you throw it away. You could expend the battery on your first day by holding down the button.
Honestly I can see a niche use but this device strikes me as quite weird and I'm not sure why it isn't a button on their new watch.
This has some similarities but differs in that wrt movies and books, the original is still intact.
Also, for the most part none of this is being done due to law, but rather because the owner of the content wants to sell more of it and thinks this is the way to do it. Looked at like that, it's hard to see how you can stop it occurring.