H.R. 5696: Prevent Recording of Individuals with Video and Audio Technologies when not Enabled Act

117th Congress · introduced 2021-10-22 · Science, Technology, Communications · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2021-10-22 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Jacobs, Chris [R-NY-27] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. 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

Prevent Recording of Individuals with Video and Audio Technologies when not Enabled Act

Plain summary

Prevent Recording of Individuals with Video and Audio Technologies when not Enabled Act or the PRIVATE Act This bill generally prohibits collecting, transmitting, disclosing, or otherwise using data from a camera or microphone of an internet-connected device. A device manufacturer or software application developer may not use such data unless the use is (1) reasonably required for the device's functionality, and (2) limited to instances when the individual is actively operating the device. For voice-activated functionality, the bill also prohibits data use before the functionality is activated. Additionally, individuals must expressly and affirmatively consent to data use and may revoke this consent. To obtain consent, manufacturers and developers must provide individuals with a brief notice that describes the data use and meets other requirements. They must also maintain a separate privacy policy that details how the entity specifically uses data from a device's camera or microphone. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) must (1) issue guidance and sample language for brief notices, and (2) enforce the bill's prohibitions as an unfair or deceptive act or practice. The bill provides a safe harbor from such enforcement if a manufacturer or developer obtains FTC approval for the requisite brief notice and privacy policy.

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

Prevent Recording of Individuals with Video and Audio Technologies when not Enabled Act

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. Jacobs, Chris [R-NY-27] · 2 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Ed Case (D-HI), John H. Rutherford (R-FL)

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-117hr5696.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/117/hr>

Record fed-us-cong117-hr5696 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117