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The holidays are upon us, including “cyber week” filled with deals for shopping for the holidays. The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) is warning shoppers about smart toys this holiday season. In its article,...more
There is a federal law, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), that requires app developers to obtain parental consent before collecting information from children under the age of 13. The law has been on the...more
It’s that time of year again when we start to think about holiday gifts and Black Friday shopping. So as any good privacy pro knows, the Mozilla *privacy not included guide is the place to go to learn about the “creepiness”...more
While smart toys can certainly be useful educational tools for children, they also present some potential privacy risks and could invade what is traditionally a private space. Think about it—the thought of your child’s toy...more
Since 2015, the advent of smart and internet-connected toys has, according to some practitioners, transformed this age from that of the “Internet of Things” to the “Internet of Toys.” The potential unlawful surveillance and...more
Holiday shopping is in full gear and everything seems to be an Internet of Things (IoT) device. It continues to amaze me how folks will buy IoT gadgets and plop them in their homes and have no idea that they include a speaker...more
Smart Toys Can Put Your Child’s Privacy, Safety at Risk - Kids today have the kind of toys their parents could only dream of. Everything from tablets to teddy bears could have motion sensors, speakers and microphones to...more
Citing cybersecurity concerns with a children’s smartwatch, the European Commission recently issued a recall of the device. The Safe-KID-One is a smartwatch that gives parents the ability to track and communicate with their...more
On January 8, 2018, the FTC announced that VTech, maker of electronic toys for children, agreed to settle charges that it violated the law by collecting personal information without parental consent....more
The Federal Trade Commission on Jan. 8 announced its first settlement of alleged violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act arising from internet-connected toys. The FTC complaint against VTech followed the...more
Every year, especially around the holidays, more and more products that connect to the internet hit the market. For adults, connected home devices that act like personal domestic assistants have become increasingly popular....more
On January 8, 2018, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) brought its first-ever privacy and data security case involving Internet-connected toys. VTech Electronics Limited and its US subsidiary (VTech), maker of...more
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a warning to parents in the past about the concerns with connected toys. Many parents recently bought the newest gadgets for their kids over the holidays, without realizing the...more
Now is the Busy Season for Cyber Criminals Posing as Executives to Obtain W-2s - It’s the start of tax season, and many employers are sending W-2 forms to employees so they can get ready to file their tax returns. As was...more
Most people have heard of the Internet of Things, or IoT. With the holidays fast approaching, and with the onslaught of new smart and Internet-connected smart toys, for parents and toy manufacturers, at least for the next few...more
In August 2017, Disney and three of its software developer vendors were sued in a class action in California in which it was alleged that Disney collected children’s information in violation of the Children's Online Privacy...more
As connected devices become ubiquitous, it comes as no surprise that interactive toys that connect to the internet are more popular than ever. At the same time, regulators have taken note of the privacy and security concerns...more
“Pleeeease?!” Buying a quick gift or giving in to your child’s pleas for a new toy is quickly becoming a more serious decision. In the age where toys can happily entertain kids by talking to them, the few precious moments...more
We previously reported about the microphone and video capabilities of Echo technology. The FBI is also concerned about this technology being used in toys that are connected to the Internet....more
In the wake of the holiday season, it seems that even toys are not immune from privacy and security pitfalls. Two “connected” toys, Genesis Toys’ My Friend Cayla and i-Que robot, have been accused of violating U.S. and...more
On December 6, 2016, The Electronic Privacy Information Center, The Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood, The Center for Digital Democracy and Consumers Union filed a Complaint and Request for Investigation, Injunction...more