Germany Bans Children's Smartwatches

[DamianTV]

https://yro.slashdot.org/story/17/11...s-smartwatches

A German regulator has banned the sale of smartwatches aimed at children, describing them as spying devices. From a report:

It had previously banned an internet-connected doll called, My Friend Cayla, for similar reasons. Telecoms regulator the Federal Network Agency urged parents who had such watches to destroy them. One expert said the decision could be a "game-changer" for internet-connected devices. "Poorly secured smart devices often allow for privacy invasion. That is really concerning when it comes to kids' GPS tracking watches - the very watches that are supposed to help keep them safe," said Ken Munro, a security expert at Pen Test Partners.

[Lamp]

Is this a good or bad thing?

[ClaytonB]

Is this a good or bad thing?

A good thing, but for the wrong reason. They're banning it because parents are listening in on kids' teachers. Can't have the rabble holding government schools accountable!

The authorities have pointed out (correctly) that these watches are not properly secured. Of course, neither are the spying devices that nearly every adult is carrying in his or her pocket. And I think this is the root reason for the ban - if parents begin snooping on their kids through electronic devices, it won't be long before it dawns on them that the State is probably snooping on the public in the same way.

[tod evans]

Is this a good or bad thing?

Government "banning" anything is bad.

All bans come with enforcement and punishment.

[Lamp]

Government "banning" anything is bad.

All bans come with enforcement and punishment.

Oh yeah true. I thought that this was to prevent child molesters from tracking down children.

[tod evans]

Oh yeah true. I thought that this was to prevent child molesters from tracking down children.

Like everything government tries to get involved in, they would only $#@! it up....

Government is never the answer to social problems.