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

Smart home service devices is displayed at CES 2017 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev., on Jan. 5, 2017. Ethan Miller/Getty Images

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 “a telephone (including a mobile phone), a laptop, tablet, or any device that a consumer would reasonably expect to have a microphone or camera.”