This Act requires manufacturers to clearly disclose if internet-connected devices with built-in recording capabilities have cameras or microphones before purchase, enforced by the FTC.
Russ Fulcher
Representative
ID-1
The Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act requires manufacturers to clearly disclose if an internet-connected device, such as a smart speaker, has a built-in camera or microphone before purchase. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with enforcing these disclosure rules as unfair business practices. This law specifically excludes standard personal electronics like phones and laptops from these new requirements.
| Party | Total Votes | Yes | No | Did Not Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 219 | 208 | 9 | 2 |
Democrat | 213 | 207 | 0 | 6 |
New Act Mandates Clear Disclosure of Cameras and Mics in Smart Devices Before Purchase
If you’ve ever bought a new smart TV or speaker and then wondered if it was secretly listening or watching, this bill is for you. The Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act is a straightforward piece of legislation designed to cut through the fine print and ensure that manufacturers clearly and obviously tell you if their internet-connected gadgets have a camera or microphone built in before you fork over your cash (SEC. 2).
This isn't about banning smart devices; it’s about transparency. The bill defines a “covered device” as any consumer product that connects to the internet and contains a camera or mic, but it explicitly excludes things like your smartphone, laptop, or tablet. Why? Because the law assumes you already know those devices are recording (SEC. 4). This targets the less obvious items—like that innocuous smart refrigerator or a fancy new router that might secretly have a listening feature.
The FTC Gets the Mic
To make sure companies actually follow through, the bill puts the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in charge of enforcement (SEC. 3). If a manufacturer tries to hide a camera or mic, the FTC will treat that violation exactly like an unfair or deceptive business practice under existing law. This is key because it means the FTC doesn't have to wait for new rules; they can use their current legal muscle to crack down on companies that are being sneaky about built-in surveillance features.
However, the FTC first has a little homework to do. They have 180 days to issue official guidance that tells manufacturers exactly what “clearly and obviously” means—like how big the icon should be, or where the disclosure needs to appear on the box or website (SEC. 3). This guidance is meant to make sure the disclosure is age-appropriate and easy to spot, but it’s worth noting that the guidance itself isn't legally binding; only the core requirement to disclose is.
What This Means for Your Next Purchase
For consumers, the biggest benefit is confidence. When you’re shopping for a new gadget, you should no longer have to dig through a 50-page user manual to figure out if it’s listening. The disclosure must be upfront, before the point of sale. For device makers, this means a new layer of compliance and potentially higher costs to redesign packaging and sales platforms to meet the new disclosure standards.
This new rule doesn’t kick in immediately. The bill states that the requirements only apply to devices manufactured 180 days after the FTC issues its guidance (SEC. 5). This gives manufacturers time to adjust their production lines and marketing materials. While the bill aims for clarity, the success of the law hinges on the FTC’s definition of “clearly and obviously.” If that definition is too vague, manufacturers might still find ways to technically comply while keeping the disclosure subtle. But overall, this is a clear win for anyone who values knowing exactly what capabilities their new smart home device possesses.