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German Government Tells Parents: Destroy This WiFi-Connected Doll (theverge.com)
It's illegal in Germany now to sell a talking doll named "My Friend Cayla," according to a story shared by Slashdot reader Bruce66423. And that's just the beginning. The Verge reports:
A German government watchdog has ordered parents to "destroy" an internet-connected doll for fear it could be used as a surveillance device. According to a report from BBC News, the German Federal Network Agency said the doll (which contains a microphone and speaker) was equivalent to a "concealed transmitting device" and therefore prohibited under German telecom law... In December last year, privacy advocates said the toy recorded kids' conversations without proper consent, violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.
Cayla uses a microphone to listen to questions, sending this audio over Wi-Fi to a third-party company that converts it to text. This is then used to search the internet, allowing the doll to answer basic questions, like "What's a baby kangaroo called?" as well as play games. In addition to privacy concerns over data collection, security researchers found that Cayla can be easily hacked. The doll's insecure Bluetooth connection can be compromised, letting a third party record audio via the toy, or even speak to children using its voice.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center has said toys like this "subject young children to ongoing surveillance...without any meaningful data protection standards." One researcher pointed out that the doll was accessible from up to 33 feet away -- even through walls -- using a bluetooth-enabled device.
Cayla uses a microphone to listen to questions, sending this audio over Wi-Fi to a third-party company that converts it to text. This is then used to search the internet, allowing the doll to answer basic questions, like "What's a baby kangaroo called?" as well as play games. In addition to privacy concerns over data collection, security researchers found that Cayla can be easily hacked. The doll's insecure Bluetooth connection can be compromised, letting a third party record audio via the toy, or even speak to children using its voice.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center has said toys like this "subject young children to ongoing surveillance...without any meaningful data protection standards." One researcher pointed out that the doll was accessible from up to 33 feet away -- even through walls -- using a bluetooth-enabled device.
If they can do that to a mere doll, what would they do to an Echo?
Dude, how could you miss the opportunity?
This time, it's the Dollocaust!
I know, right? Why can't I put a concealed, Internet-connected surveillance device in my daughter's bedroom? This is a clear violation of my freedoms!
The entire point of internet enabled devices is to collect your data. They are all surveillance devices.
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
First, they came for the dolls...and I participated enthusiastically, because those dolls are creepy and violate my kids' privacy!
I've NEVER had a Bluetooth device maintain connection at 30 feet WITHOUT walls.
I've never had one work through a door much less drywall...
Let me respond... as an actual, real life, genuine, pure-blooded... recovering Jew... I can't tell whether I should take offense to this or laugh my ass off at it.
Please tell me that you have some Jewish in your blood line... 1/64th on your sister-in-law's mother's side is good enough. Unless you happen to be either a Jew, Gypsy, or.. well a plastic toy doll that sends everything children say to American servers for logging, it's just outright offensive that you would make such a comparison.
Also, I fear the lash-back that will come from the Dollocaust deniers.
P.S. - Recovering from Judaism is similar to recovering from alcohol addiction or Catholicism. Once you're in, you're in. There's nothing you can do which makes you any less Jewish culturally, you can deny it, you can fight it, but as soon as there's latkas and draydels and nagging old ladies gumming their lips peddling out guilt, it's all over.
I don't have a problem with a government ordering someone to respect someone else's privacy. Not that I don't find some things governments do repulsive. I do have a problem with governments illegally invading their citizen's privacy, and then imprisoning whistle blowers. Jesus bloody Christ, worry about something that actually matters.
The article is wrong. The state didn't ORDER it, they RECCOMMENDED it.