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EU Recalls Child Smartwatch Over ‘Serious’ Privacy Risks
The European Commission has ordered a recall of a smartwatch for children because of what is calls a “serious” privacy risk.
The watch, called Safe-KID-One, is a product of the German electronics manufacturer Enox. The company sells other smartwatch models, as well as televisions and wireless communication devices.
On its website, Enox describes the Safe-KID-One as a tool for parents. The watches have a simple, colorful design that seems appealing to children. The device has a built-in microphone and speaker to permit two-way communication.
The company says the smartwatch can be used by parents to learn where their children are at all times and contact them. It says this can be done with a computer software program, or app.
The Enox website says children wearing the watch can place a telephone call with just one touch of a number. The site claims that “only pre-listed parties” can call a child through the device.
The Safe-KID-One smartwatch is shown in an alert published by the European Commission, which recalled the device across Europe due to “serious” privacy risks. (European Commission/Rapid Alert System)
However, the European Commission (EC) recently reported that it found major security concerns with the Safe-KID-One system. The EC is the decision-making body of the European Union (EU). The warning was made public through the EC’s “Rapid Alert System.” Commission members investigated the device after concerns were reported by officials in Iceland.
The EC wrote that the risk level of the smartwatches was “serious” and called for an immediate recall of the devices.
The warning said the app linked to the Safe-KID-One device can permit non-secure communications with the system’s computer server. The server’s security issues make it possible for people to break into the system and steal private information, the EC said.
As a result, “data such as location history, phone numbers and serial number can be easily retrieved and changed,” it warned.
“A malicious user can send commands to any watch - making it call another number of his choosing - can communicate with the child wearing the device, or locate the child through GPS,” the warning said.
The European Commission said the privacy and security risks led to its decision to announce an immediate recall of the devices from EU members. EC officials said the Safe-KID-One was being sold on the internet.
The founder of Enox, Ole Anton Bieltvedt, spoke to the British Broadcasting Corporation about the EC’s decision. He said the device had met all German government rules last year before being offered to the public. He added that the version of the smartwatch tested by the EC was no longer being sold.
Enox plans to appeal the recall decision.
It is not the first time privacy and security concerns have been raised about smartwatches for children.
European Commission officials say the Safe-KID-One smartwatch was being sold by German electronics company ENOX. (European Commission/Rapid Alert System)
In 2017, German officials banned some kinds of smartwatches. The government said the watches let parents secretly listen in to children and their environment. At the time, no specific smartwatches were named.
Officials said the devices had microphones that let parents listen in on teachers and school activities. The government said the system violated German laws aimed at restricting surveillance.
Also in 2017, a Norwegian Consumer Council report warned of the dangers of smartwatches for children. The group said it had uncovered serious security and privacy issues after examining and testing several smartwatch models being sold across Europe.
The report said that in a few simple steps, a stranger could easily take control of the watches to be able to find, listen to and communicate with a child. At the time, the council said there was an urgent need for manufacturers to increase security of the systems or face forced recalls of the devices.
I’m Bryan Lynn. And I’m Dorothy Gundy.
Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.
What do you think about children using smartwatches? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.
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Words in This Story
recall – n. an order to return something found to have problems
location – n. a place or position
retrieve – v. get something
malicious – adj. intended to cause harm
GPS – n. abbreviation for Global Positioning System: a system of computers and satellites used to identify where users are
surveillance – n. the careful watching of something or someone, especially by police or the government