Smart toys made with artificial intelligence, such as machine-learning capabilities, can collect different forms of data from kids.
Whether an AI-enabled toy is personalizing lessons based on how fast your kid learns shapes, or a doll is learning your kid’s favorite ice cream flavor, toy experts expect more of these toys to be introduced in the years ahead, even though early missteps and high sales prices have limited consumer interest to date.
“As an AI toy starts to learn the child, this means the toy in the next 15 years will be smarter than the parent and gather all this data that could one day hurt the child,” said Will.i.am, singer-songwriter and chair of the World Economic Forum’s Smart Toy Awards’ judging committee.
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) protects children 13 years and younger and their personal information on the internet from being taken without express approval from parents, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
“The purpose of COPPA is to control systems, and limit and restrict the attempt to collect data on children,” said Alan Butler, executive director at the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC.
EPIC said these toys collect, use and disclose recordings of children’s voices without parental consent, which is a direct violation of COPPA, according to the complaint report filed.
If it’s something that doesn’t really enhance the play value of the toy and it adds cost, then it’s not going to be successful,” said Gerrick Johnson.