Legis Daily

Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act

USA119th CongressS-28| Senate 
| Updated: 4/28/2025
Ted Cruz

Ted Cruz

Republican Senator

Texas

Cosponsors (2)
John R. Curtis (Republican)Maria Cantwell (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, known as the "Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act," mandates that manufacturers clearly and conspicuously disclose the presence of a camera or microphone in certain internet-connected devices prior to purchase. This requirement applies to consumer products capable of connecting to the internet that include these components. However, it specifically excludes devices like mobile phones, laptops, or those primarily marketed as cameras, which consumers would reasonably expect to have such features, focusing instead on less obvious smart devices. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is designated to enforce these disclosure requirements, treating any violation as an unfair or deceptive act or practice. The FTC will also issue guidance within 180 days of enactment to assist manufacturers in complying, including best practices for making disclosures clear, conspicuous, and age-appropriate, potentially using pictorial representations. This Act will become effective for covered devices manufactured 180 days after the FTC issues its guidance, ensuring consumers are better informed about potential recording capabilities in their smart devices.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-5127
Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-90
Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act
Jan 7, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 7, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Mar 12, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Apr 28, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-13.
Apr 28, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 47.
Apr 30, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-859
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 64.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-5127
    Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-90
    Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act


  • January 7, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 7, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • March 12, 2025
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • April 28, 2025
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-13.


  • April 28, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 47.


  • April 30, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-859
    Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 64.

Commerce

Related Bills

  • HR 119-1768: Lower Costs for Everyday Americans Act
  • HR 119-859: Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresComputers and information technologyFederal Trade Commission (FTC)Internet, web applications, social mediaPhotography and imagingRight of privacySound recording

Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act

USA119th CongressS-28| Senate 
| Updated: 4/28/2025
This bill, known as the "Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act," mandates that manufacturers clearly and conspicuously disclose the presence of a camera or microphone in certain internet-connected devices prior to purchase. This requirement applies to consumer products capable of connecting to the internet that include these components. However, it specifically excludes devices like mobile phones, laptops, or those primarily marketed as cameras, which consumers would reasonably expect to have such features, focusing instead on less obvious smart devices. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is designated to enforce these disclosure requirements, treating any violation as an unfair or deceptive act or practice. The FTC will also issue guidance within 180 days of enactment to assist manufacturers in complying, including best practices for making disclosures clear, conspicuous, and age-appropriate, potentially using pictorial representations. This Act will become effective for covered devices manufactured 180 days after the FTC issues its guidance, ensuring consumers are better informed about potential recording capabilities in their smart devices.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-5127
Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-90
Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act
Jan 7, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 7, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Mar 12, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Apr 28, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-13.
Apr 28, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 47.
Apr 30, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-859
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 64.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-5127
    Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-90
    Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act


  • January 7, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 7, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • March 12, 2025
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • April 28, 2025
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-13.


  • April 28, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 47.


  • April 30, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-859
    Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 64.
Ted Cruz

Ted Cruz

Republican Senator

Texas

Cosponsors (2)
John R. Curtis (Republican)Maria Cantwell (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Commerce

Related Bills

  • HR 119-1768: Lower Costs for Everyday Americans Act
  • HR 119-859: Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresComputers and information technologyFederal Trade Commission (FTC)Internet, web applications, social mediaPhotography and imagingRight of privacySound recording