The record

LegislationLegislation· Apr 2025
HR 859 Passed House — in Senate

Sponsored by Russ Fulcher (R)

Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act

Requires manufacturers to disclose cameras or microphones in internet-connected devices before sale.

Tradeoff

Manufacturers of smart devices with hidden cameras or microphones must tell buyers about them before purchase. The bill exempts phones, laptops, and devices consumers expect to have cameras or mics.

What's in it

See official bill text

Estimated cost of $500,000 over 10 years for FTC enforcement.

The $500,000 is the federal cost to administer and enforce the rule—the policy's real burden falls on device manufacturers who must implement disclosure mechanisms, but those private-sector costs are not estimated in the CBO score.

H.R. 859, Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act · Jun 2025

The House passed this 415-9 on April 29, 2025 — sitting in the Senate.

  1. House

    Introduced

    (Jan 31, 2025)

  2. House

    Committee on Energy and Commerce(Jan 31, 2025)

  3. House

    The Committee on Energy and Commerce voted to send it to the floor

    Reported by (Apr 8, 2025)

    Committee report H. Rept. 119-72.

  4. House

    On Motion to and Pass

    Passed(Roll #109 · Apr 29, 2025)

    415 yeanay 9

  5. Senate

    Received from the House

    Received(Apr 30, 2025)

Passage votes so far· Apr 29, 2025· 119th Congress · 2025–2027