Bipartisan Group of Senators Welcome Commerce Hearing on "The Internet of Things," FTC Report

Press Release

U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Cory A. Booker (D-N.J.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) welcomed the Senate Commerce Committee's announcement this week that it will hold a hearing on the "Internet of Things." The announcement follows the senators' October 2014 letter requesting this hearing in order to address the changing landscape of new connected technologies. The Commerce Committee's hearing - "The Connected World: Examining the Internet of Things" - is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, February 11, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. The senators released the following statement this afternoon:

"We're pleased that the Commerce Committee will examine this issue at February's hearing and we look forward to reviewing the Federal Trade Commission's report. As we explore smart ways to shape the Internet of Things -- realizing both its benefits and risks -- the Commerce Committee is best positioned to ensure the United States remains the global leader in innovation. If properly channeled, the Internet of Things can be a game changer for the U.S. economy and American consumers."

This morning, the Federal Trade Commission announced that its "Internet of Things" report will be made public, following their 2013 workshop on the same topic. The rapidly developing market of health wearables, connected homes, and other novel solutions represents an expanding industry of consumer products. Earlier this month, The New York Times reported that the International Consumer Electronics Show was dominated by this new trend in connected devices.

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