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German parents told to destroy Cayla dolls over hacking fears
BBC ^ | 2-17-2017 | BBC

Posted on 02/17/2017 3:13:37 PM PST by Colonel Kangaroo

An official watchdog in Germany has told parents to destroy a talking doll called Cayla because its smart technology can reveal personal data.

The warning was issued by the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur), which oversees telecommunications. Researchers say hackers can use an unsecure bluetooth device embedded in the toy to listen and talk to the child playing with it.

But the UK Toy Retailers Association said Cayla "offers no special risk".

In a statement sent to the BBC, the TRA also said "there is no reason for alarm".

The Vivid Toy group, which distributes My Friend Cayla, has previously said that examples of hacking were isolated and carried out by specialists. However, it said the company would take the information on board as it was able to upgrade the app used with the doll.

The Cayla doll can respond to a user's question by accessing the internet. For example, if a child asks the doll "what is a little horse called?" the doll can reply "it's called a foal".

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...


TOPICS: Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: 1984; bigbrother; doll; lastdays; spycraft; toys
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When I was growing up, the girls had Chatty Cathy, but unlike Cayla, Cathy could keep secrets.
1 posted on 02/17/2017 3:13:37 PM PST by Colonel Kangaroo
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To: Colonel Kangaroo

2 posted on 02/17/2017 3:16:42 PM PST by SaveFerris (Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for ... some have unwittingly entertained angels)
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To: Colonel Kangaroo

“offers no special risk”.

So its just regular run of the mill risk then?


3 posted on 02/17/2017 3:21:50 PM PST by 48th SPS Crusader (I am an American. Not a Republican or a Democrat)
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To: 48th SPS Crusader

Sprinkle some of these Caylas around different ‘interesting’ areas.

Like Comet Pizza ...


4 posted on 02/17/2017 3:24:20 PM PST by Scrambler Bob (Brought to you from Turtle Island, otherwise known as 'So-Called North America')
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To: Colonel Kangaroo

Reminds me of a Twilight Zone episode...


5 posted on 02/17/2017 3:28:23 PM PST by Smittie (Just like an alien I'm a stranger in a strange land)
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To: Smittie

My name is Talking Tina and YOU HAD BETTER BE NICE TO ME!


6 posted on 02/17/2017 3:30:54 PM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (Not a Romantic, not a hero worshiper and stop trying to tug my heartstrings. It tickles! (pink bow))
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To: SaveFerris

All ready to spill the beans to Aunt Angela in Berlin.


7 posted on 02/17/2017 3:34:19 PM PST by Colonel Kangaroo
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To: Colonel Kangaroo

I can maybe see something like this happening......”Hi,my name is Cayla. Do you have any state secrets?” No. “Do you wish to buy some?”


8 posted on 02/17/2017 3:35:29 PM PST by oldtech
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To: Colonel Kangaroo

“what is a little horse called?”

While the Cayla stand-up comedian version responds “A sore throat” *drum roll*


9 posted on 02/17/2017 3:40:22 PM PST by LeoTDB69
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To: Colonel Kangaroo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzNFwxsSPwU

As it ever was.


10 posted on 02/17/2017 3:44:31 PM PST by MrEdd (MrEdd)
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To: Colonel Kangaroo; Bon mots; null and void; RushIsMyTeddyBear; metmom; CynicalBear; SkyPilot; ...

Leni Riefenstahl Merkel probably wants another film....

What could possibly go wrong with an eavesdropping doll? - time for Nully’s Big Ears pic. 1984....

I’m surprised Obama didn’t give these away with Obamaphones....


11 posted on 02/17/2017 4:00:18 PM PST by SaveFerris (Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for ... some have unwittingly entertained angels)
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To: SaveFerris; COUNTrecount; Nowhere Man; FightThePower!; C. Edmund Wright; jacob allen; ...
;

At no point in history has any government ever wanted its people to be defenseless for any good reason ~ nully's son

The biggest killer of mankind

Nut-job Conspiracy Theory Ping!

To get onto The Nut-job Conspiracy Theory Ping List you must threaten to report me to the Mods if I don't add you to the list...


12 posted on 02/17/2017 6:18:58 PM PST by null and void (Trump's critics have evolved from expecting Trump to be Hitler to preferring it.)
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To: null and void

I have always found dolls creepy.

Now, I feel quite justified in that opinion.


13 posted on 02/17/2017 6:50:28 PM PST by BlackVeil ('The past is never dead. It's not even past.' William Faulkner)
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To: null and void

Hmmmm


14 posted on 02/17/2017 7:19:09 PM PST by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
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To: Colonel Kangaroo

Didn’t people have similar concerns with Furbys? Hard to believe those have been around for almost 20 years.


15 posted on 02/17/2017 8:38:19 PM PST by Disambiguator (Keepin' it analog.)
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To: BlackVeil; raygunfan; Gamecock; Larry Lucido; FredZarguna; PROCON; KC_Lion

[I have always found dolls creepy.]

Right there with ya, lol.

Even George Constanza had a problem with a doll.

The doll was telling him how to eat!


16 posted on 02/18/2017 12:26:38 AM PST by SaveFerris (Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for ... some have unwittingly entertained angels)
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To: null and void

Them’ some big ears!


17 posted on 02/18/2017 12:42:39 AM PST by SaveFerris (Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for ... some have unwittingly entertained angels)
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To: Smittie

18 posted on 02/18/2017 5:37:55 PM PST by BBell (calm down and eat your sandwiches)
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To: Colonel Kangaroo

This is a creepy story.


19 posted on 02/18/2017 5:40:05 PM PST by independentmind
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To: BBell

Can you imagine a parent about to destroy the doll and the doll tells them, “I’m talking Cayla and I’m going to kill you!”?


20 posted on 02/19/2017 12:11:20 PM PST by Smittie (Just like an alien I'm a stranger in a strange land)
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