Pandemic Darlings The pandemic economy, in original documents
Home Source documents Bill Analysis - HB 2399 Connected Devices With a Voice Recognition Feature (Washington, 2020)

Bill Analysis - HB 2399 Connected Devices With a Voice Recognition Feature (Washington, 2020)

Summary

A bill analysis from the Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research for the Innovation, Technology & Economic Development Committee, covering HB 2399, concerning connected devices with a voice recognition feature. It lists a hearing date of 1/24/20 and Representatives Hudgins, Smith, Van Werven, Young, Wylie and Kloba as sponsors. The summary of the bill states that manufacturers are prohibited from operating a voice recognition feature without informing the user that the device may be used to process and retain recordings or transcriptions of spoken words. It states that retention elsewhere than on the user's connected device requires the user's affirmative written consent, that violations are violations of the Consumer Protection Act, and that the appropriation is none.

Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used

Cite this document

“Bill Analysis - HB 2399 Connected Devices With a Voice Recognition Feature (Washington, 2020).” Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2020-01-28-a26391-d210370-bill-analysis-0864ae45d9/, SHA-256 5edc7f23f8251284c477b587639dfc32265e155b350f8668506923ea136ac8ef.

Full text

Washington State                   BILL
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research     ANALYSIS
Innovation, Technology & Economic
Development Committee
                                         HB 2399
Brief Description: Concerning connected devices with a voice recognition feature.

Sponsors: Representatives Hudgins, Smith, Van Werven, Young, Wylie and Kloba.


                                      Brief Summary of Bill
      Ÿ Sets forth requirements for operation of a connected device with a voice recognition
        feature or retention of any recordings or transcriptions collected through the
        operation of a voice recognition feature on a connected device.
      Ÿ Prohibits the disclosure of any recordings or transcriptions to a third party.
      Ÿ Requires manufacturers to provide users with the ability to delete permanently any
        recordings or transcriptions.
      Ÿ Provides that violations are enforceable under the Consumer Protection Act.


Hearing Date: 1/24/20

Staff: Yelena Baker (786-7301).

Background:

Federal law generally prohibits the unauthorized, nonconsensual interception of wire, oral, or
electronic communications by government agencies as well as private parties. Federal law does
not prohibit the interception of private communications where one party to the communication
has consented to the interception.

The Washington Privacy Act, chapter 9.73 RCW, restricts the interception or recording of private
communications or conversations. As a general rule, it is illegal for any person to intercept or
record any private communication transmitted between two or more individuals by a device
designed to intercept, record, or transmit without the consent of all participants, except in
––––––––––––––––––––––
    This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative
    members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it
    constitute a statement of legislative intent.

House Bill Analysis                             -1-                                          HB 2399
emergencies and situations in which one party is harassing or threatening to make unlawful
demands on another.

Summary of Bill:

Manufacturers are prohibited from operating a voice recognition feature on a connected device
without prominently informing the user of the device that the device is equipped with a voice
recognition feature and may be used to process and retain recordings or transcriptions of spoken
words. The user notice must be provided during the initial setup or installation of the device and
distinctly separate from the device terms of service.

Recordings or transcriptions collected through the operation of a voice recognition feature may
not be used for any advertising purposes or disclosed to a third party.

Affirmative written consent of a user must be obtained before any recordings or transcriptions
are retained at any location other than the connected device that is under the user's control.
Manufacturers must provide users with the ability to permanently delete any recordings or
transcriptions retained pursuant to a user's affirmative written consent.

A violation of these provisions is a violation of the Consumer Protection Act.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is
passed.




House Bill Analysis                            -2-                                         HB 2399

File and source

File
2020-01-28_a26391_d210370_bill-analysis.pdf
Size
81,674 bytes
SHA-256
5edc7f23f8251284c477b587639dfc32265e155b350f8668506923ea136ac8ef
Our copy
2020-01-28_a26391_d210370_bill-analysis.pdf
Original
No public link identified.
Back to top