【】
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.
SEE ALSO:People think Facebook is listening to them. Here's how they're fighting back.And in Germany, it's illegal to record private conversations without permission.
"According to our investigations, parents were using the watches, for example, to listen in on teachers during class," said Federal Network Agency President Jochen Homann in a statement.
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.
Featured Video For You
This is how much you can make working in cybersecurity
TopicsCybersecuritySmartwatches
相关文章
Katy Perry talks 'Rise,' her next batch of songs, and how to survive Twitter
Katy Perry recently surpassed 90 million followers on Twitter, making her the person with the most f2024-09-20- 卡納瓦羅發視頻回憶球員生涯首秀:28年前的今天夢想成真_那不勒斯www.ty42.com 日期:2021-03-07 18:01:00| 評論(已有260373條評論)2024-09-20
- 盤點馬德裏德比最具代表性5球員 勞爾拉莫斯領銜_馬競www.ty42.com 日期:2021-03-07 08:01:00| 評論(已有260210條評論)2024-09-20
- 利物浦前瞻:力避69年恥辱 菲米進球荒超11小時_富勒姆www.ty42.com 日期:2021-03-07 12:31:00| 評論(已有260281條評論)2024-09-20
Is Samsung's Galaxy Note7 really the best phone?
On this week's。 MashTalk。, Lance, Pete and I talk about the new hot smartphone in town: Samsung's Ga2024-09-20- 馬競VS皇馬首發:本澤馬複出PK蘇神 菲利克斯替補_對陣www.ty42.com 日期:2021-03-07 22:31:00| 評論(已有260395條評論)2024-09-20
最新评论