Bill to prevent spying by smart fridges advances to Senate floor

The US Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee have given their approval for the Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act. If passed, the Federal Trade Commission would have the power to force designers of internet-connected devices, such as refrigerators and televisions, to disclose if recording hardware is present in the device. The bill will not affect devices such as smartphones, laptops, or devices for which recording is expected.

The next step for the bill is a vote by the Senate, which will then send the bill to the White House to become law. The House of Representatives passed the bill last month.

The legislation has received strong support from both political parties. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said that “As the number of smart devices found in homes steadily climbs, consumers deserve greater transparency about how these devices work and how they impact privacy” while Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) added that “Most consumers expect their refrigerators to keep the milk cold, not come equipped with a camera or microphone to record their personal and private family discussions.”

The bill is a response to warnings from security experts about the danger of smart devices being used to spy on users without their consent. Smart televisions and toys have been found to have spied on owners without their knowledge.