Experts Warn Smart Toys Could Collect And Sell Your Kids’ Data

What did you give your child last Christmas? Experts hope it was not a smart toy due to its inherent risks.

According to their recent reports, such items could be gathering data on your kid and selling it without your knowledge.

As a result, various groups have been calling on government institutions to eliminate this type of surveillance of children. 

What are the issues with smart toys?

Photo Credit: www.thetimes.co.uk

Children spend more time on the internet nowadays, so toy companies must adapt. Eventually, they released smart toys that have online features.

For example, the KidKraft Amazon 2-in-1 kitchen and market can link to an Alexa smart speaker and has RFID sensors.

However, complaints recently surfaced regarding the Fuzzible Friend doll. Katie Terramiggi said she bought it for her daughter Audrey.

The child loved how the doll connected with Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant to communicate with her. 

Terramiggi explained the Fuzzible speaks in a unique language at the push of a button. Then, her kid could ask Alexa to translate what the toy said. 

However, news reports say its manufacturer Creativity Inc. has terms and conditions that allow the company to collect information about its users. 

The rules enabled Creativity to record what children said. Also, RJ Cross of the US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) elaborated on smart toy risks.

These toys can collect significant data due to their built-in cameras and mics. Cross emphasized that companies could sell the data to advertisers to create profiles on children.

Human Rights Watch also warned about similar issues with educational tech products. It analyzed 163 educational computer learning products endorsed by 49 countries.

Its findings indicate that 146 “put at risk or directly violated children’s privacy and other… rights, for purposes unrelated to their education.”

The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) called on the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to strictly regulate data collection on children. 

Conclusion

EPIC’s executive director Alan Butler explained his calls for more limits on smart toys. “It’s just not really realistic, for a parent, as you say, to be able to parse these legal documents,” he said.

Meanwhile, Terramiggi said, “I should be able to trust the toymakers that are putting the toys on the market. You assume they’re looking out for your child’s best needs.” 

At the time of writing, Creativity Inc. and the FTC have not commented on the issue. Follow Inquirer Tech for more digital news and updates.