United States · Bill · HR
H.R. 709 (115th)
We Are Watching You Act of 2017
Introduced
27 January 2017
Last action
3 February 2017 · Referred
Status
Referred to the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection.
Sponsors
Rep. Capuano, Michael E. [D-MA-8], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18], Rep. Shea-Porter, Carol [D-NH-1], Rep. Jones, Walter B., Jr. [R-NC-3], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Tsongas, Niki [D-MA-3]
Subjects
Discovery layer
Source updated
11 August 2025
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.
This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.
Timeline
27 January 2017
Introduced
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Source: IntroReferral
27 January 2017
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
27 January 2017
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
3 February 2017
Referred
Referred to the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection.
Source: Committee
Votes
No vote records are attached yet.
Versions
- Introduced in House · 27 January 2017 · Download file
Documents
3 official files
Introduced in House (text)
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Introduced in House (text)
Introduced in House · EN · 27 January 2017
Introduced in House (PDF)
Introduced in House · EN · 27 January 2017
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Introduced in House
summary · EN · 27 January 2017
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Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Sponsors
- Rep. Capuano, Michael E. [D-MA-8] · D · Sponsor
- Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Shea-Porter, Carol [D-NH-1] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Jones, Walter B., Jr. [R-NC-3] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39] · D · Cosponsor
- Rep. Tsongas, Niki [D-MA-3] · D · Cosponsor
- · hsif00 · Standing
Related records
- related to ← We Are Watching You Act of 2015
Sources
PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.
- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/709
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/115/hr/709
- us · 115-hr-709 · source updated 11 August 2025