At a time when people are buying gifts and preparing for Christmas, a scandal has erupted: connected toys could pose a real danger to our children. This is according to the consumer association UFC Que Choisir, based on a study by its Finnish counterpart Forbrukerradet.
This year, the trendiest gift in Father Christmas' sack is undoubtedly the connected toy. Tablets, drones, dolls, soft toys, dinosaurs, and even the traditional globe can now connect to the Internet. The consumer association UFC Que Choisir is warning parents about the dangers of the two most popular toys of 2016-2017: the Cayla doll and the I-Que robot.
Intrusion into the children's bedroom
Based on the results of a study conducted by a Finnish consumer association, UFC Que Choisir highlights the limitations of the protocol used by both toys to communicate with digital devices. A simple Bluetooth connection allows the toys to connect to smartphones or tablets without an access code. In other words, anyone within a 20-metre radius can connect to the toys and intrude on the child's life, talking to them or spying on them.
Personal data recorded to better target advertising
UFC also denounced the recording of personal data by the robot manufactured by Genesis, which, according to the toy's user charter, would be used to better target the advertising promoted by the toy. Indeed, it would appear that both toys promote Disney and Nickelodeon toys by targeting young children. The association has already referred the matter to the CNIL and the DGCCRF.
