Washington (March 14, 2024) - Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-36) released the following statement today on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) vote to approve the Cyber Trust Mark program, a White House initiative similar to Senator Markey and Congressman Lieu’s Cyber Shield Act.  

“From doorbells to baby monitors – many of the everyday objects in our homes today can connect to the internet, putting consumers at risk to cyber threats. That is why we are encouraged to see the FCC vote to adopt the Cyber Trust Mark program, a voluntary cybersecurity certification program that will help consumers choose which devices are safest from cyber threats. This program is a meaningful step towards incentivizing manufacturers of smart devices to get smart about the cybersecurity and privacy of their consumers. We applaud the Biden administration for its work to develop this program and prioritize consumer safety and choice.” 

Senator Markey and Congressman Lieu introduced the Cyber Shield Act in 2021 to establish an advisory committee of cybersecurity experts from academia, industry, consumer groups, government, and the public to create cybersecurity benchmarks for Internet of Things (IoT) devices – such as baby monitors, home assistants, smart locks, cameras, cell phones, and laptops. IoT manufacturers can then voluntarily certify that their products meet those cybersecurity benchmarks, and display this certification to the public with a “Cyber Shield” label that will help consumers identify and purchase more secure technology for their homes. 

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