Senator proposes mandatory labeling for products with mics, cameras

[Karlston]

Senator proposes mandatory labeling for products with mics, cameras

The bill aims to protect consumers from unpleasant surprises.

Enlarge / A surveillance camera on display in Hamburg, Germany, in January 2019.

Daniel Bockwoldt | picture alliance | Getty Images

Much in the same way that food labels are now required to disclose the potential presence of allergens such as peanuts, one Senator is proposing a law that would require tech companies to include a label on products disclosing the presence of recording devices.

 

The bill, dubbed the Protecting Privacy in our Homes Act, would mandate a new kind of labeling on goods that include Internet-connected microphones or cameras. The proposed law does not define what kind of labels would need to be appended but rather would order the Federal Trade Commission to put in place specific regulations "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."

 

Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) introduced the bill to the Senate. "Consumers face a number of challenges when it comes to their privacy, but they shouldn’t have a challenge figuring out if a device they buy has a camera or microphone embedded into it," Gardner said. "This legislation is about consumer information, consumer empowerment, and making sure we’re doing everything we can to protect consumer privacy."

 

Most products that ship with cameras or microphones included tout the inclusion of such recording devices as a selling point, which could make this kind of regulation feel redundant at best. That said, there's quite a difference between "most" and "all." A rule such as the regulation Gardner proposes would close the gap that, for example, led owners of Nest Secure devices to the unpleasant discovery earlier this year that the products had shipped with undisclosed microphones.

 

Gardner is a co-chair of the Senate Cybersecurity Caucus, along with Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.). The two earlier this year led a bipartisan group of senators that co-sponsored the Internet of Things Cybersecurity Act of 2019, which would require existing regulators to develop security standards for connected devices.

 

The Senate, however, largely seems concerned with other events this year, and GovTrack.us gives the PPHA a 3% chance of actually becoming law.

 

 

Souce: Senator proposes mandatory labeling for products with mics, cameras (Ars Technica)

[Infinite_Vision]

Thanks for the news.  They are probably going to have to do with cellphone and all those apps because they send your data back to the developers.  FB and their messenger program as well.  What about those smart TV which record people's conversation.   How about a search engine having about 3 million pages on an average user?   What about a government official spying on people Mark Warner?   Will this new law prevent governmental spy from filing fake phony claim against another person?  Hopefully, the law includes provision that have something to do with imaging technology.  So I hope money doesn't get in the way of creating good law Mark.   Oh so ironic.    Samuel Adams — “It is in the interest of tyrants to reduce the people to ignorance and vice. For they cannot live in any country where virtue and knowledge prevail.”

 

These spoilers are not for anyone on the forum.  Thanks. 

 

Spoiler

SURV of SC/JS terminated.
Sleep well.

 

Spoiler

Future will prove past.
AS.
Feeling ok today? 
Why is the MX border / Long Beach Port so important?
Tick TOCK (LLC).

Spoiler

Trace to Import/Export.
Trace from China/MX to Long Beach.
Trace sale/spin off of Co.
Trace to CF.
Trace to Port (Security Clearance Profile (L5)).
Who granted? 

 

Spoiler

17+.  Signal all clear no noise.  De. N.  visual all clear no noise.