Protecting Privacy in Our Homes Act

Bill: 116-s-2532
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO]
Introduced: 2019-09-24
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Civil actions and liability

Computers and information technology

Consumer affairs

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media

Manufacturing

Photography and imaging

Sound recording
Latest action: action_date: 2019-09-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-09-24
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Protecting Privacy in Our Homes Act</b><br> <br> This bill requires manufacturers of internet-connected devices that are not specifically marketed as cameras or microphones to disclose to consumers whether a camera or microphone is a component of such device.</p>

tv_txt: II 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2532 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 24, 2019 Mr. Gardner introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To require the Federal Trade Commission to promulgate regulations requiring manufacturers to give notice to consumers as to whether internet-connected devices contain cameras or microphones.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting Privacy in Our Homes Act . 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Commission The term Commission means the Federal Trade Commission. (2) Covered device The term covered device — (A) means an internet-connected device a component of which is a camera or microphone; and (B) does not include any device that is specifically marketed as a camera or microphone. (3) Covered manufacturer The term covered manufacturer means a manufacturer of a covered device. 3. Regulations Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall promulgate regulations under section 553 of title 5, United States Code, under which each covered manufacturer shall be required to include on the packaging of each covered device manufactured by the covered manufacturer a notice that a camera or microphone is a component of the covered device. 4. Enforcement (a) In general This Act and the regulations promulgated under this Act shall be enforced by the Commission under the Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.). (b) Unfair or deceptive acts or practices A violation of this Act or a regulation promulgated under this Act 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) ). (c) Actions by the Commission (1) In general The Commission shall prevent any person from violating this Act or a regulation promulgated under 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.).