100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB3819

 

Introduced , by Rep. Jaime M. Andrade, Jr.

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act

    Creates the Microphone-Enabled Devices Act. Contains legislative findings and defines terms. Requires that a private entity give written notice to and obtain the informed consent of a user before enabling the microphone in the user's device. Provides for a private right of action for damages, attorney's fees, and injunctive relief. Excludes State agencies and units of local government. Effective immediately.


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A BILL FOR

 

HB3819LRB100 10667 JLS 20891 b

1    AN ACT concerning business.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Microphone-Enabled Devices Act.
 
6    Section 5. Legislative findings. The General Assembly
7finds all the following:
8        (1) An increasing number of everyday household
9    devices, such as smartphones, televisions, cars, toys, and
10    home appliances, are being enhanced by speech recognition
11    and other technologies that use microphones to listen for
12    environmental triggers. As a result, private companies are
13    gaining unprecedented and near constant access to
14    consumers' private lives, including what they do in their
15    homes and their daily habits.
16        (2) While there are tremendous benefits from these
17    technologies, many pose serious privacy risks to Illinois
18    citizens. The increasing prevalence of these technologies
19    in everyday devices enables companies to collect, store,
20    analyze, and share increasing amounts of personal data,
21    often without consumers ever knowing.
22        (3) The public welfare, security, and safety will be
23    served by regulating the use, collection, and sharing of

 

 

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1    information derived from this technology.
 
2    Section 10. Definitions. In this Act:
3    "Digital device" means a smartphone, tablet, television,
4computer, car, toy, home appliance, or any other device that
5contains a microphone.
6    "Private entity" means any individual, partnership,
7corporation, limited liability company, association, or other
8group, however organized. "Private entity" does not include a
9State or local government agency.
10    "User" means a person who purchases, leases, or otherwise
11regularly uses a digital device.
 
12    Section 15. Collection, use, storage, or disclosure of
13information from a digital device's microphone. No private
14entity may turn on or enable, cause to be turned on or enabled,
15or otherwise use a digital device's microphone to listen or
16collect information unless it first:
17        (1) informs the user in writing that the microphone in
18    the user's digital device will be turned on, enabled, or
19    used;
20        (2) informs the user in writing of the frequency and
21    length of time the microphone will be turned on, enabled,
22    or used;
23        (3) informs the user in writing of the specific
24    categories of information the microphone will be listening

 

 

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1    for, collecting, and storing;
2        (4) informs the user in writing of the specific purpose
3    for which the information will be collected, used, stored,
4    and disclosed; and
5        (5) receives the informed, written consent (including
6    through an electronic means using the Internet) of the
7    user, or the user's authorized agent, representative, or
8    guardian, that:
9            (A) is in a form distinct and separate from any
10        form setting forth other legal or financial
11        obligations of the user; and
12            (B) is given at the time the microphone will be
13        turned on, enabled or used, or in advance for a set
14        period of time or until consent is withdrawn by the
15        user, whichever is sooner.
 
16    Section 20. Right of action. Any user whose rights under
17this Act are violated shall have a right of action against an
18offending party and may recover:
19        (1) liquidated damages of $5,000 or actual damages,
20    whichever are greater;
21        (2) reasonable attorney's fees and costs; and
22        (3) other relief, including an injunction, as the court
23    may deem appropriate.
 
24    Section 25. Applicability of Act; waiver.

 

 

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1    (a) Any waiver of the provisions of this Act shall be void
2and unenforceable.
3    (b) Any agreement that does not comply with the applicable
4provisions of this Act is void and unenforceable.
5    (c) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to apply to a
6contractor, subcontractor, or agent of a State agency or unit
7of local government when working for that State agency or unit
8of local government.
 
9    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
10becoming law.