H.R. 538 118th Congress House

Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act

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

Introduced: January 26, 2023 Introduced by: John R. Curtis Republican · Utah See on congress.gov

Commerce Administrative law and regulatory proceduresComputers and information technologyFederal Trade Commission (FTC)Internet, web applications, social media

More subjectsShow fewer subjects

Photography and imagingRight of privacySound recording

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Everywhere this bill has been 11 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Feb 28, 2023

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Feb 27, 2023

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 406 - 12 (Roll no. 121). (text: CR H891)

Feb 27, 2023

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H897)

Feb 27, 2023

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Feb 27, 2023

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

Feb 27, 2023

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 538.

Feb 27, 2023

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H891-892)

Feb 27, 2023

Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

Feb 3, 2023

Referred to the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce.

Jan 26, 2023

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Jan 26, 2023

Introduced in House

Votes taken on this bill 1

Date	Chamber	What was voted on	Result	Yes–No
Feb 27, 2023	House · vote #121	On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass	Passed	406–12	See who voted →

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Latest action February 28, 2023

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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 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.

Related & companion bills 3

Bill text 3 versions

Engrossed in House Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
Introduced in House Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
Referred in Senate Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

Committees of jurisdiction 3

Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee
House of Representatives · subcommittee of Energy and Commerce Committee
Energy and Commerce Committee
House of Representatives
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Senate

Cosponsors 1

Moulton, Seth

Massachusetts · Jan 26, 2023

Cite this page click to expand

APA

U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 538: Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act. 118th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-538/

MLA

"H.R. 538: Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act." 118th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-538/.

Bluebook (legal)

H.R. 538, 118th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-538/.

Markdown link

[H.R. 538: Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-538/)