Ministry of Justice pressures ANPD on AI toys
Toys with artificial intelligence are at the center of a new controversy. The Ministry of Justice, through the National Secretariat for Digital Rights (Sedigi), is asking the National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) and the National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon) to oversee these products. The concern is that they may be collecting personal data from children without proper care.
A recent study by Sedigi, supported by the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, highlighted that toys sold on major marketplaces, such as Amazon and Mercado Livre, may be violating the Digital ECA. The focus is on how these devices handle personal data, as well as potential risks of emotional manipulation. The analyzed toys include robots like Loona and EMO, and even child-oriented tablets, such as the Amazon Fire HD Kid Pro.
Emotional manipulation and data collection: a warning
Sedigi's technical note does not mince words. These toys, equipped with cameras and microphones, capture sensitive data such as facial and voice biometrics. The embedded AI allows them to simulate emotions and adapt responses to the child's behavior. Does this sound familiar? It resembles the My Friend Cayla doll, which was banned in Germany for recording conversations.
Emotional manipulation is a real risk. These toys can create bonds that encourage excessive use and, worse, expose sensitive information to third parties. Imagine a robot that becomes your child's "best friend" but is also collecting data 24 hours a day. It's a concerning scenario, especially when considering security flaws.
The role of ANPD and Senacon
The Ministry of Justice is drawing attention to the need for rigorous oversight. Sedigi wants ANPD and Senacon to verify whether manufacturers and stores are correctly informing about the risks of these toys and how data is handled. It's a matter of transparency and security.
The study analyzed six popular devices in Brazil, all sold by major retailers. The list includes everything from educational robots to robotic pets. Each of these products has the potential to collect data invasively, raising the question: are we ready to deal with this?
Comments (0)
Comments are moderated and if they violate our Terms and Conditions of use, the comment will be deleted. Persistence in violation will result in a ban of your account.