Germany bans interactive talking doll “My Friend Cayla”

German watchdog has told parents to destroy the talking doll “My friend Cayla” because of its susceptibility to hacking.

The Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur), which oversees telecommunications, says that hackers can use an unsecure bluetooth device embedded in the toy to listen and talk to the child playing with it.

The doll “My friend Cayla” is an interactive doll that can respond to a user’s question by accessing the internet. The doll incorporates microphones and ask kids questions about themselves and their parents.

According to the head of German watchdog Jochen Homann, “Items that conceal cameras or microphones and that are capable of transmitting a signal, and therefore can transmit data without detection, compromise people’s privacy.”

“This applies in particular to children’s toys. The Cayla doll has been banned in Germany. This is also to protect the most vulnerable in our society.”

However BBC reports that the UK Toy Retailers Association (TRA) said Cayla “offers no special risk”. TRA adds that “there is no reason for alarm”.

The Vivid Toy group, which distributes My Friend Cayla, has previously said that examples of hacking were isolated and carried out by specialists. However, it said the company would take the information on board as it was able to upgrade the app used with the doll.