The German government isn't just banning some children's
smartwatches — its telling people to "destroy" the gadgets already
circulating around the country.
On Friday, Germany's telecom regulator the Federal Network
Agency announced that a number of these devices, designed for ages 5 to
12, can allow someone to remotely tap into the watch's microphone and
clandestinely spy from remote locations (just like a wiretap). The regulator
isn't just concerned about the potential of people spying on children — it's
concerned the devices can be used to spy
on anyone.
And in Germany, it's illegal to record private conversations
without permission.
Smartwatches that make phone calls, like the Apple Watch,
are legal in Germany. The problem with many of the children's smartwatches,
however, is the devices have a classic snooping function, similar to a baby
monitor, which can be easily activated just by using an app.
"Via an app, parents
can use such children's watches to listen unnoticed to the child's environment
and they are to be regarded as an unauthorized transmitting system," said
Homann.
The German regulator is so serious about destroying these
devices, it's asking citizens to literally document the watches' destruction
and to file evidence online. Once the watches are destroyed, the regulator will
provide a "certificate of destruction," confirming the deed was done.
This isn't the first time the Federal Network Agency told German
citizens to destroy a consumer device. In February, the
regulator prohibited the doll "My Friend Cayla" and labeled
it as an "espionage device." Apparently, the dolls were fitted with
radio transmission technology that could allow children to be spied on.
Beware consumer tech
manufacturers: The German government won't just ban devices that facilitate
spying, they'll demand the devices be smashed with hammer (or whatever means of
destruction one prefers) — even if they're dolls.
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