I'm inclined to name this tool:  "Hacker Magnet".

The whole "Internet of Things" is a hacker magnet. Zero or the flimsiest security...a disaster waiting to happen.

Is anyone aware of any company that has provided customers with something without it being a direct correlation for marketability of the product or profit. There is no reason to believe that Mattel is doing something for the goodness of it's customers only. Based on what companies have done in the past only leads one to believe this is no different. 

Note to self....don't get creative with our quote function [the first 'n' is redundant]....

Yes, Mattell SHOULD be ashamed for developing such a toy.  Whether or not there are educational and stimulation possibilities, the entire idea is to increase sales via information gathered, thus exploiting children and [obviously] their parents.

Furthermore, I make no assumptions about spying.  The toy is designed to listen to anything within range, whether the child or its parents want it to or not.  There may be private moments that are 'eavesdropped' upon because the doll is unknowingly within hearing distance... and that data is collected and stored by Mattell.  Now this is not to say that Mattell would knowingly misuse that information, but how many big companies have been hacked in recent times, thus compromising client, customer information.  The point is, some information should NEVER be collected/stored... period.  Especially when it comes to children!

Moreover, this doll transmits data over to Mattell via wi-fi, which is fraught with danger when you consider how easily it could be intercepted by rock spiders.  Many a parent has been alarmed by weirdos hacking into their baby monitors [which also operate on wi-fi] to spy/prey on their kids, so NO, it is NOT an acceptable risk under ANY circumstances.

You know, I had to go back and look it up, and I'm still not sure I have the spirit of the award right, but I think I do, so ....

I'd like to nominate Mattel for a "chutzy" award for this one.

This is something Stardock is obliged to enforce on their websites in accordance with COPPA.

Yes, there are 'children' [and others] out there who insist on exposing themselves to real and actual harm through the ignorant dissemination of personal detail, but adults and others with invested authority/responsibility towards others [children] have a duty of care.

Mattel clearly does not.

More shame them.

"Don't be evil." seems particularly appropriate (and ironic) in this context.

One should consider every new product made now a days has the ability to spy.  The new electric meters we are being forced to have can tell the electric company which room is using the most electricity and what time of day.  One would think, so what.  When you take everything into account, it maters.

I don't consider myself as paranoid but I really don't want to be spied on in my own home.  And as Dave said, sometimes we old folks need our grand children to show us how to use the new electronic products. 

When you grow up with certain freedoms you expect things to go a certain way.

When you grow up being spied on you are accustomed to that way of life so one doesn't even think about it.  Its normal, not given another thought.  They look at the ease of things, not the consequences of what is going on.  Its just the new way of life.

Oh well, enough rant.

As far as my computer I keep it as secure as I can. Some of the things I have done came from warnings and post on here and mostly by Doc. 

As far as the rest of my security it's pretty good and better then most. Why I said that. My Smartphone use is limited. I don't put banking info on it. No need but many think it is. Don't hardly ever use the Internet on it. what ever I want to look up or even check FB can be done on my computer. Go ahead and laugh. I have had people tell me they have to have the smart phone with them when they sit on the toilet. That's just plain sad. FaceBook people download and play all these free games. Not much if free people, especially when it comes to games. 

I do understand this generation only knows this method of doing things. I am smart enough without knowing it all that spying is everywhere. So  why should I invite it. However trying to explain this to this generation is like trying to control the Weather. It can't be done. 

Plenty of games are free.

I'm going to assume that you don't play games, given your statements here.

Continuing from that assumption, I pose a question. If you don't play games, who are you to imply that they're malicious in some way? "Especially when it comes to games."

I've played plenty of free games in my time. Your implications are not only unfounded, they're demonstrably untrue.



Refusing to expose yourself to what you believe is dangerous and spreading baseless assumptions as fact are two entirely different things. 

I believe DaveBax was referring to this, obliquely: http://www.devicemag.com/2010/10/25/facebook-games-and-security/

He was also referring to the adage "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch." [T.A.N.S.T.A.A.F.L. - Farnham's Freehold, R. A. Heinlein].

That article requires you to leap a pretty significant logical gap. Not to mention the use of it in the context of this thread is disingenuous. It not only assumes the people playing the games are stupid (sharing information on Facebook that they wouldn't want shared to begin with), but blames the games themselves for this error in judgement.

Mattel is a business, yes. Mattel wants to increase profits in any way possible, yes. That same as every single business still operating today. Of course they want to increase sales, it goes without saying. That doesn't make any product they market inherently evil, as you seem to think it does. Disregarding positive features in favor of pointing out a common truth of any and every business is... pointless.

No, you do. The term "spy" implies espionage. It implies malicious intent. The definition of "spying" is to "observe someone furtively". The term "furtively" is important. It means that that you believe your observation is malicious in some aspect, requiring you to avoid discovery for fear of negative consequences.

It would be the case if they were trying to hide the fact that the doll will send observed data to Mattel. They obviously are not.

Are we working under the assumption that the doll will not be capable of being disconnected from the internet or otherwise turned "off" now?



Contradiction of the use or the word "spy".



Considering the goal of most "hackers" who steal consumer information are looking for identities to steal or other sensitive information, the likelihood of a toy company being "hacked" to raid conversations children may be having their dolls is pretty small. Also, your argument here is an appeal to emotion.



Two problems with this argument. First of all, the reported cases of all "hacked" baby monitors have come down to user ignorance or can otherwise be attributed to those parents not understanding network security. The second problem is your insistence that because some users are inept is a valid reason for a product or feature to not be produced.

 

And because Jafo is correct regarding the quote gymnastics... I regretfully double-post.

Am I to reevaluate based on your morals or someone else's?