Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act | ChamberLight

REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS

Senate BillS 28Sound recordingPhotography and imaging

Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act

INTRO JAN 7· LAST ACTION APR 28

READING

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Reported, not passed

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

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Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because many modern household devices now connect to the internet, and some come with built-in cameras or microphones that aren't always obvious. This can raise serious privacy concerns, as people might unknowingly bring a recording device into their personal spaces. If this bill becomes law, consumers will have a clearer understanding of a product's capabilities before they buy it, empowering them to make more informed choices about their privacy.

Without this law, consumers often have to actively research or discover the full capabilities of smart devices after purchase, or rely on technical specifications that might not be easily understood. By requiring clear disclosure at the point of sale, the bill aims to prevent situations where individuals unknowingly expose their private conversations or activities to recording. This can build trust between consumers and manufacturers in the growing market of internet-connected 'smart' devices.

KEY PROVISIONS

4AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Requires manufacturers to clearly and conspicuously disclose the presence of a camera or microphone in certain internet-connected devices before purchase.

This ensures consumers are aware of potential recording capabilities in smart devices before they buy them, enhancing privacy and informed decision-making.

PROVISION 02

Defines 'covered device' to include internet-connected consumer products with cameras or microphones, while specifically excluding common devices like phones, laptops, and devices marketed as cameras or microphones.

This clarifies which devices are subject to the disclosure requirement, focusing on products where a camera or microphone might be unexpected.

PROVISION 03

Assigns enforcement of these disclosure requirements to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts.

This provides a mechanism for accountability, allowing the FTC to take action against companies that do not comply with the disclosure rules.

PROVISION 04

Directs the FTC to issue guidance to manufacturers within 180 days of the bill's enactment on best practices for clear, conspicuous, and age-appropriate disclosures.

This helps ensure that disclosures are effective and easy for consumers to understand, and provides clarity for manufacturers on how to meet the new requirements.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 3

COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 67%

DEM 2 REP 1 IND 0

ACTION TIMELINE

5 EVENTS

APR 28

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-13.

COMMITTEE

APR 28

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 47.

CALENDARS

MAR 12

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

COMMITTEE

JAN 7

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeSenate Bill

NumberS 28

Congress119th

StatusReported

IntroducedJan 7, 2025

Last actionApr 28, 2025

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REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS · COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 7, 2025

Senate BillS 28Sound recordingPhotography and imaging

Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act

INTRODUCED JAN 7, 2025· LAST ACTION APR 28, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

4 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 3 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Requires manufacturers to clearly and conspicuously disclose the presence of a camera or microphone in certain internet-connected devices before purchase.

This ensures consumers are aware of potential recording capabilities in smart devices before they buy them, enhancing privacy and informed decision-making.

med

This clarifies which devices are subject to the disclosure requirement, focusing on products where a camera or microphone might be unexpected.

high

Assigns enforcement of these disclosure requirements to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts.

This provides a mechanism for accountability, allowing the FTC to take action against companies that do not comply with the disclosure rules.

med

Directs the FTC to issue guidance to manufacturers within 180 days of the bill's enactment on best practices for clear, conspicuous, and age-appropriate disclosures.

This helps ensure that disclosures are effective and easy for consumers to understand, and provides clarity for manufacturers on how to meet the new requirements.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

180 days after the date of enactment of this Act

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) must issue guidance to assist manufacturers in complying with the disclosure requirements.

180 days after the date on which FTC guidance is issued

The Act's requirements will apply to all covered devices manufactured after this date.

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

TYPE	AMOUNT	WHO
administrative	Subject to penalties and remedies provided under the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) for unfair or deceptive acts or practices.	Any manufacturer of a covered device who fails to disclose a camera or microphone as required.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Covered device: An internet-connected consumer product that has a camera or microphone, but does not include things like phones, laptops, or devices specifically sold as cameras or microphones.
Manufacturer: A company or person that makes or produces goods, in this case, internet-connected devices.
Disclose, clearly and conspicuously: To provide information in a way that is easy to see, read, and understand, making sure it stands out and isn't hidden in small print.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC): A U.S. government agency that works to protect consumers from unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices and to promote fair competition.
Unfair or deceptive act or practice: Business behavior that misleads consumers or causes them harm, often a violation of consumer protection laws.
Consumer product: Any article, or component part thereof, produced or distributed for sale to a consumer for use in or around a permanent or temporary household or residence, a school, in recreation, or otherwise.

ACTION TIMELINE

5 EVENTS

APR 28, 25

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-13.

COMMITTEE

APR 28, 25

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 47.

CALENDARS

MAR 12, 25

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

COMMITTEE

JAN 7, 25

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

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Committee Referrals

Commerce, Science, and Transportation CommitteeReferred

Apr 28, 2025

senate

Related Hearings

Business meeting to consider S.28, to require the disclosure of a camera or recording capability in certain internet-connected devices, S.97, to require SelectUSA to coordinate with State-level economic development organizations to increase foreign direct investment in semiconductor-related manufacturing and production, S.244, to direct the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, to conduct a study of the national security risks posed by consumer routers, modems, and devices that combine a modem and router, S.289, to ban the sale of products with a high concentration of sodium nitrate to individuals, S.323, to direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to develop a National Strategy to Synchronize Federal Broadband Programs, S.389, to establish consumer standards for lithium-ion batteries, S.414, to require covered digital advertising platforms to report their public service advertisements, S.428, to promote space situational awareness and space traffic coordination and to modify the functions and leadership of the Office of Space Commerce, S.433, to require the Secretary of Commerce to establish the National Manufacturing Advisory Council within the Department of Commerce, S.582, to provide for the authorized use of Federal vehicle transportation by certain astronauts, S.613, to require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to maintain the National Mesonet Program, S.759, to provide for standardization, publication, and accessibility of data relating to public outdoor recreational use of Federal waterways, S.841, to require online dating service providers to provide fraud ban notifications to online dating service members, S.843, to require the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance Grant Program, and the nominations of Mark Meador, of Virginia, to be a Federal Trade Commissioner, and Michael Kratsios, of South Carolina, to be Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (senate)Mar 12, 2025

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Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

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