Nowadays, almost everything works with the Internet. One of them is games. As we have said many times, however, connecting to the Internet comes with risks. For this reason, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) gives some advice to parents, to help them choose smart games that are less harmful to their children's data.
Speakers, games, gadgets… Anything connected to the Internet puts private data.
A reputable manufacturer is no guarantee of the security of your data. Even if the manufacturer uses some security measures, the mistake can be made by the users. Many users are not careful and put their data at risk.
The FTC on Monday released a list of tips to help parents make sure smart toys aren't stealing information related to their child.
Controlling the features of a connected game is essential so that parents know what is happening with the game and can intervene if they notice anything strange .
What things should parents check? The following questions will help you understand:
Does the game have a camera or microphone? What does the camera or microphone record? When are they turned on?
If a game has a camera or microphone and it is not secure enough or is vulnerable to vulnerabilities, it can be turned into a spying tool. Knowing when these features are activated is very important because it allows you to detect suspicious movement and therefore take immediate action.
Many parents only realized that someone was monitoring their babies when the hacker spoke to them through the camera.
Is it possible to send emails or connect to social media accounts?
If smart toys offer the above capabilities, then there is a great risk for children, as they can communicate with friends but may also be approached by strangers.
Can parents control smart toys and configure their settings? What controls and options are there? What are the default settings?
Controlling and shaping the game can prevent an unpleasant or dangerous situation.
What information do smart toys collect?
Parents should be aware of what kind of information a game collects when a child plays with it, as well as where it sends that information. If the data is also sent to other companies, then children's personal data is at risk.
“If smart toys collect personal information from a child under 13, the toy company must inform you of its privacy practices, ask for your consent, protect and secure the collected data, and give you the right to delete your child’s personal information ,” the FTC said.
