Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act
Bill: S.5127 | Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted (R-TX)
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act
This bill requires manufacturers of internet-connected devices (e.g., smart appliances) that are equipped with a camera or microphone to disclose to consumers prior to purchase that a camera or microphone is part of the device.
The bill does not apply to mobile phones, laptops, or other devices that a consumer would reasonably expect to include a camera or microphone.

To require the disclosure of a camera or recording capability in 
                  certain internet-connected devices.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Informing Consumers about Smart 
Devices Act''.

SEC. 2. REQUIRED DISCLOSURE OF A CAMERA OR RECORDING CAPABILITY IN 
              CERTAIN INTERNET-CONNECTED DEVICES.

    Each manufacturer of a covered device shall disclose, clearly and 
conspicuously and prior to purchase, whether the covered device 
manufactured by the manufacturer contains a camera or microphone as a 
component of the covered device.

SEC. 3. ENFORCEMENT BY THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION.

    (a) Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices.--A violation of section 
2 shall be treated as a violation of a rule defining an unfair or 
deceptive act or practice prescribed under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the 
Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)).
    (b) Actions by the Commission.--
            (1) In general.--The Federal Trade Commission (in this Act 
        referred to as the ``Commission'') shall enforce this Act in 
        the same manner, by the same means, and with the same 
        jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all applicable terms 
        and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 
        41 et seq.) were incorporated into and made a part of this Act.
            (2) Penalties and privileges.--Any person who violates this 
        Act or a regulation promulgated under this Act shall be subject 
        to the penalties and entitled to the privileges and immunities 
        provided in the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et 
        seq.).
            (3) Savings clause.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed 
        to limit the authority of the Commission under any other 
        provision of law.
    (c) Commission Guidance.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Commission, through outreach to relevant 
private entities, shall issue guidance to assist manufacturers in 
complying with the requirements of this Act, including guidance about 
best practices for making the disclosure required by section 2 as clear 
and conspicuous as practicable.
    (d) Tailored Guidance.--A manufacturer of a covered device may 
petition the Commission for tailored guidance as to how to meet the 
requirements of section 2 consistent with existing rules of practice or 
any successor rules.
    (e) Limitation on Commission Guidance.--No guidance issued by the 
Commission with respect to this Act shall confer any rights on any 
person, State, or locality, nor shall operate to bind the Commission or 
any person to the approach recommended in such guidance. In any 
enforcement action brought pursuant to this Act, the Commission shall 
allege a specific violation of a provision of this Act. The Commission 
may not base an enforcement action on, or execute a consent order based 
on, practices that are alleged to be inconsistent with any such 
guidelines, unless the practices allegedly violate section 2.

SEC. 4. DEFINITION OF COVERED DEVICE.

    As used in this Act, the term ``covered device''--
            (1) means a consumer product, as defined by section 3(a) of 
        the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2052(a)) that is 
        capable of connecting to the internet, a component of which is 
        a camera or microphone; and
            (2) does not include--
                    (A) a telephone (including a mobile phone), a 
                laptop, tablet, or any device that a consumer would 
                reasonably expect to have a microphone or camera;
                    (B) any device that is specifically marketed as a 
                camera, telecommunications device, or microphone; or
                    (C) any device or apparatus described in sections 
                255, 716, and 718, and subsections (aa) and (bb) of 
                section 303 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 
                U.S.C. 255; 617; 619; and 303(aa) and (bb)), and any 
                regulations promulgated thereunder.

SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This Act shall apply to all covered devices manufactured after the 
date that is 180 days after the date on which guidance is issued by the 
Commission under section 3(c), and shall not apply to covered devices 
manufactured or sold before such date, or otherwise introduced into 
interstate commerce before such date.
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