Germany bans smartwatches for children

Germany's telecommunications regulatory, Federal Network Agency (FNA) banned smartwatches for children as they record conversations and gives location access to hackers.

The FNA classified the smartwatches as "prohibited listening devices.”

Earlier this month, European Consumer Organization (BEUC) put an announcement stating that privacy of the children using smartwatches is at risk as it allows hackers to track the location and also listen to their conversation.

GPS watches for kids = false sense of security & lack of consumer protection @finnmyrstad on #ConsumerChampion blog https://t.co/AP5xjQyLzO pic.twitter.com/hNXrMEa63m

— EU Consumer Affairs (@EU_Consumer) October 31, 2017

A 49-page report published by the Norwegian Consumer Council also highlighted the drawbacks of smartwatch usage.

"These watches should not find their way into our shops," Monique Goyens, Director General of BEUC, said in a press release.

"Using an app, parents can use such children's watches to listen unnoticed to the child's environment and they are to be regarded as unauthorized transmitting equipment," said Jochen Homann, President of the FNA.



On Tuesday, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made a public announcement that stated “Internet of Things” that can expose one to cyber exploitation.

"The EU urgently needs to regulate mandatory security standards for connected products. Producers should immediately fix these flaws or they should find their products withdrawn from the market,” stated Goyens.


This article originally appeared on The Verge.