Researchers: Hackers Can Spy On Kids Through Some Holiday Toys
Researchers: Hackers Can Spy On Kids Through Some Holiday
Toys
December 8, 2017 at 12:51 pm
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Some of this holiday season’s
smart toys that can listen and talk to children are vulnerable to hackers who
can take over such devices’ electronics, researchers are warning parents.
According to Pen Test Partners, the “Teksta Toucan
Electronic Toy” is the latest device they have found which can have its
microphone and speaker connect to a Bluetooth audio device such as a phone or
laptop computer.
While the firm’s demonstration was lighthearted — making
the bird-like toy say profanity instead its pre-programmed words — the
researchers stressed a greater concern of hackers using the toy to listen in on
rooms where the toy is located.
Previously Pen Test was critical of “My Friend Cayla,” a
doll which connected to the Internet to answer children’s questions. The
company posted code on their website showing how easily the toy’s related
mobile app could be changed from simply responses to anything a hacker wanted
to make the toy speak aloud.
Earlier this year a consumer watchdog group in Germany
successfully moved to remove “Cayla” dolls from the market there, stating “any
toy capable of transmitting signals and surreptitiously recording audio or
video without detection is unlawful.”
“My Friend Cayla” and “i-Que,” a connected robot toy
previously released, “fail miserably when it comes to safeguarding basic
consumer rights, security, and privacy,” said the BEUC, the European Consumer
Organization.
For countries where these toys are still being sold, Pen
Test urged parents to avoid bringing them home, or at least use them under
close parental supervision and switch them off when not being played with.
Both “Calya” and “i-Que” are manufactured by Genesis
Toys, a company which received complaint in 2016 about such smart toys
potentially violating the Children’s Online Privacy Act in the United States.
Comments
Post a Comment