H.R. 709: We Are Watching You Act of 2017

115th Congress · introduced 2017-01-27 · Commerce · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2017-01-27 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Capuano, Michael E. [D-MA-7] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

We Are Watching You Act of 2017

Plain summary

We Are Watching You Act of 2017 This bill prohibits an operator of a video service from collecting visual or auditory information from the vicinity of the device used to display the video programming stream to the consumer unless the operator: (1) displays, as part of the stream, a message that reads, "We are watching you"; and (2) describes to the consumer the types of information that will be collected and how such information will be used. The description of information collection must be provided: (1) as part of the terms and conditions to which the consumer must agree before using the video service; and (2) in the case of a video service accessed through a device sold or provided to the consumer by the operator, as part of the written instructions and other materials accompanying such device. Operators must offer an alternative video service that does not involve the collection of such information but is otherwise identical. Any devices provided in connection with such alternative service must be incapable of collecting such information. Operators may disclose such information only with the express consent of the consumer or as required by a court order in connection with a law enforcement investigation. Violations of this bill are to be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

We Are Watching You Act of 2017

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Capuano, Michael E. [D-MA-7] · 6 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Mark Takano (D-CA)

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (1)

Bill: A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-115hr709.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/115/hr>

Record fed-us-cong115-hr709 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115