Germany bans smartwatches for children, describing them as spying devices
The European regulator has put a ban on sale of children's smartwatches, urging to destroy them
(Web Desk) – Germany’s Federal Network Agency has slapped a ban on sale of smartwatches for children, describing them as spying devices and urging parents to destroy all at once.
The German telecom regulator has taken the huge step in the wake of privacy concerns worldwide. Bundesnetzagentur president Jochen Homann told BBC, “Parents can use such children’s watches to listen unnoticed to the child’s environment via an app. (These smartwatches for children) are to be regarded as an unauthorized transmitting system.”
The move comes after the agency had placed ban on My Friend Cayla, an internet-based doll, over privacy issues. The German authorities have held a crack down on internet-connected devices for children and the move could result into further steps.
The agency asked educators to pay attention to students’ smartwatches because parents can listen to the teachers in classrooms through the transmission of information.
Privacy is major concern for security analysts as such poorly secured smart devices mostly allow breach. In the case of children’s smartwatches, there is a GPS tracking system which is intended to keep the kids safe.
Children’s smartwatch market usually targets the age group of five to 12. They also have sim cards and limited network coverage. The watches have an app to control and function. Last month, the Norwegian Consumer Council (NCC) claimed that certain kids’ watches are flawed and lack encryption for data storage.
