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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 709 (115th)

We Are Watching You Act of 2017

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

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

  1. 27 January 2017

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 27 January 2017

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 27 January 2017

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 3 February 2017

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

3 official files

Introduced in House (text)

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 27 January 2017

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 27 January 2017

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 27 January 2017

    Open at official source

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Sponsors

Related records

Sources

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