It is one of the hottest toys of the holiday season, but some are already recommending you say goodbye to Hello Barbie.
The toy uses WiFi to interact with kids, learning about them and holding conversations about everything from their favorite colors to more personal information.
WREG talked with some parents who worry about hackers and think technology has gone too far this time.
Parents can use an app on their smartphone to track what conversations their kids are having. The problem is, some are worried parents will not be the only ones listening in.
“I think it’s pretty creepy that somebody could actually potentially be tracking your children while they’re playing with their dolls,” one mother said.
To a child, Hello Barbie probably seems magical — a doll that talks back to you.
It does not just prerecord several phrases. You can actually hold a conversation with her, and she remembers things about you.
But some critics worry hackers will be able to listen in and maybe even respond, because the doll uses WiFi.
The company that paired with Mattel to make the doll, Toy Talk, even said on its website that recorded conversations could be used for data analysis and by third parties, although it insists they will not be advertising to your kids through the doll.
“To have your children playing with their Barbie in the safety of their own homes and someone else could be watching them or listening to them, that’s very unsafe,” one mom said.
When we bought a doll, there were only several left in the store.
While they continue to fly off shelves, parents told WREG they will not be saying Hello to that Barbie anytime soon. “No. No. I say no,” one shopper said.
Toy Talk is offering to pay for hackers to detect security issues so they can be fixed.