House Wants Companies to Tell Consumers About Cameras, Microphones in Devices

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The House of Representatives on Feb. 27 overwhelmingly voted to make manufacturers tell consumers if an Internet-connected device comes with a camera or microphone, with enforcement left to the Federal Trade Commission.

That requirement does not cover certain devices, such as โ€œa telephone (including a mobile phone), a laptop, tablet, or any device that a consumer would reasonably expect to have a microphone or camera.โ€

A motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 538 flew through the chamber with 406 yeas and 12 nays: 201 Democrats and 205 Republicans voted for it, while 12 Republicans voted against it. 15 representatives didnโ€™t vote.

The motionโ€™s opponents include a number of well-known conservative and libertarian lawmakers.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), and Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) all voted against it.

The Epoch Times has reached out to those lawmakers to learn why they opposed the motion.

โ€œThis is a relatively straightforward bill,โ€ said Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), a supporter of H.R. 538.

โ€œInternet-connected devices are becoming increasingly present in our lives, and itโ€™s important for people to understand what theyโ€™re buying.โ€

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), another supporter of the measure, told his colleagues about the rapid speed and massive scale of the Internet of Things (IoT) revolution in consumer products.

โ€œToday, the average American home has 11 Internet of Things, or IoT, devices,โ€ Pallone said.

Yet, Palloneโ€™s numbers appear to be out of date.

recent Deloitte survey suggests the number of Internet-connected items is even higher, at 22 smart devices per home as of 2022.

โ€œWe must ensure that the IoT revolution does not come at the expense of consumersโ€™ privacy,โ€ said Pallone. He went on to describe reports that IoT-connected devices are recording users without them being aware.

The danger of smart devices extends beyond the threat from petty scammers and data-hungry corporations.

Byย Nathan Worcester

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

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