WiFi-connected Toys May Stalk Children

WiFi-connected Toys May Stalk Children

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Feb 24, 2015

I often think about when I was a child and all the cool toys that I had: my Mickey Mouse record player, Sit-n-Spin, paint-with-water books, and enough stuffed animals to open my own store! As simple as those “nostalgic” toys seem, at the time, those were considered high-tec gadgetry.  Now, children have toys that connect directly to the Internet, interact with them in real-time, record what they say and even adapts to their interests. While these toys are “cool,” and probably on every child’s Santa list for Christmas, there are some scary security implications.

The data being collected from children as they innocently play and interact with their toys could be used to conduct market research, advertise new products directly to children and even build profiles of their interests, a profile that could follow them for the rest of their digital lives.

Let’s take Hello Barbie as an example. Developed by ToyTalk, this interactive, Wi-Fi-connected Barbie doll has a microphone, speaker and a small embedded computer, along with Wi-Fi hardware. Press a button on Barbie’s belt buckle and she wakes up, asks a question and then activates the microphone. While the child speaks to Barbie, his or her replies (and any background noise) are being recorded, encoded, encrypted and sent into ToyTalk’s servers. The audio is then processed by voice-recognition software to figure out what was said and how best to reply.

This recorded data is supposedly used to assist Mattel and ToyTalk to improve Barbie’s scripted replies that are in the doll’s backend software. This is all fine and great, making the child’s future experience with the doll even more enriching, but what happens if ToyTalk’s servers get hacked? What happens if your child’s voice falls into an online predator’s hands? What happens if Barbie gets hacked by bad people who start interacting with your child?

All scary thoughts, but rest assured parents, because Barbie will email you weekly or daily, giving highlights about what your child has said and there’s even an app that allows you to specify “off limit” conversation topics.

By the way, whatever happened to teaching our children NOT to talk to strangers?!

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

  • AI Used as Part of Sophisticated Espionage Campaign

    A cybersecurity inflection point has been reached in which AI models has become genuinely useful in cybersecurity operation. But to no surprise, they can used for both good works and ill will. Systemic evaluations show cyber capabilities double in six months, and they have been tracking real-world cyberattacks showing how malicious actors were using AI capabilities. These capabilities were predicted and are expected to evolve, but what stood out for researchers was how quickly they have done so, at scale. Read Now

  • Why the Future of Video Security Is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reasons. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.