Germany has banned sales of smartwatches aimed at children that support one-way listening. Officials say parents used the devices to secretly listen to teachers while kids were in class. Watches with that feature may be classed as unauthorized radios.
Authorities note that several models in Germany target ages 5 to 12. They are urging people not to buy them and to stop using ones already owned, because surveillance-style devices of this kind are illegal there.
Spy watch or smartwatch?
German officials stress that the ban does not cover phone-style smartwatches. It targets watches that behave like a baby monitor and allow one-way listening. With those models you can activate the microphone at any time and hear whatever room the watch is in. Because the mic turns on in the background, neither the child wearing it nor people nearby know the space is being monitored. Last year Germany also banned the My Friend Cayla doll for similar listening features.
