The Internet Of Toys

Privacy advocates in both the United States and Europe are urging regulators to take a hard look at the privacy ramifications of internet-connected toys, which are often conventional toys augmented by companion mobile applications.

In December, the privacy advocacy group Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), joined by several other organizations, filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission regarding two firms that manufacture, sell, and operate internet-connected dolls.  The dolls have built-in Bluetooth enabled microphones that enable them to record conversations between children and the dolls.  These conversations are then stored on a server and used, according to the privacy policy accompanying the app, to "improve [...] products and services, and for advertising and marketing."