Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act

Sponsor: Russ Fulcher (Republican-ID)January 31, 2025

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 64.

Requires companies to clearly tell you if smart devices have cameras or microphones before you buy them.

This bill would make sure that before you buy certain internet-connected devices, like smart home gadgets, the manufacturer clearly tells you if it has a camera or microphone. This would help shoppers know exactly what features are in their smart devices, especially those where a camera or mic might not be obvious. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce these new rules.

What Would Change

Today, companies are not always required to clearly state if less obvious smart devices contain cameras or microphones before purchase. After this bill, manufacturers of certain internet-connected products would have to clearly disclose the presence of a camera or microphone before selling the device, giving consumers more information upfront.

Key Provisions

Requires manufacturers to clearly state if certain internet-connected devices have a camera or microphone before they are sold.
Gives the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the power to enforce these disclosure rules.
Directs the FTC to create guidance for companies on the best ways to make these disclosures clear and easy to understand, possibly using pictures.
Excludes devices like phones, laptops, and tablets, or products specifically sold as cameras or microphones, from these new disclosure rules.
Would take effect for devices manufactured 180 days after the FTC issues its guidance.