HR859-119

Passed House

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

119th Congress Introduced Jan 31, 2025

Legislative Progress

Passed House
Introduced Committee Passed
Apr 30, 2025

Received; read twice and placed on the calendar

Apr 30, 2025 (inferred)

Passed House (inferred from eh version)

Apr 24, 2025

Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the …

Jan 31, 2025

Mr. Fulcher (for himself and Mr. Moulton) introduced the following …

House Roll #109

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act

Passed
415 Yea 9 Nay 8 Not Voting
Apr 29, 2025

Summary

What This Bill Does

Requires manufacturers of internet-connected devices to disclose clearly before purchase whether devices contain cameras or microphones. FTC enforces as unfair/deceptive practice.

Who Benefits and How

Consumers gain awareness of surveillance capabilities in devices. Privacy protected through informed purchasing decisions.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Device manufacturers must update labeling and disclosures. FTC must issue guidance within 180 days.

Key Provisions

  • Mandatory pre-purchase disclosure of cameras/microphones
  • Disclosure must be clear and conspicuous
  • Violations treated as FTC Act unfair/deceptive practices
  • FTC enforcement with existing penalties
Model: claude-opus-4
Generated: Jan 9, 2026 15:13

Evidence Chain:

This summary is derived from the structured analysis below. See "Detailed Analysis" for per-title beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.

Primary Purpose

Requires disclosure of cameras and microphones in internet-connected devices

Policy Domains

Consumer Protection Privacy Technology

Legislative Strategy

"Consumer privacy through mandatory disclosure"

Bill Structure & Actor Mappings

Who is "The Secretary" in each section?

Domains
Consumer Protection Privacy Technology

We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.

Learn more about our methodology