Germany outright banned childrens smartwatches with microphones in 2017 (Due to them being illegal surveillance devices.)
Good on Germany, shame about the free speech though.
Kids' smartwatches have security problems as simple as 1-2-3
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Re: Kids' smartwatches have security problems as simple as 1-2-3
#32The software is being pushed so fast into the market and everyone doesn't want to be left behind. Security features are one of the first ones to be ignored, and that's very bad.
It might be bad for the customers/users, but because everyone does it, it doesn't seem bad for the companies.
Not to mention that most companies seem to get off with nothing more than a slap-on-the-wrist type fine, if at all. It seems as if it's just become a cost of doing business.
Re: Kids' smartwatches have security problems as simple as 1-2-3
#33Re: Kids' smartwatches have security problems as simple as 1-2-3
#34Re: Kids' smartwatches have security problems as simple as 1-2-3
#35Earlier quoted context omitted.
Which is unfortunate because there are times when I wish my kid had one. I'm not too worried about kidnapping, but there are times when I want to say come back from the park for dinner.
Buy your kid a dumb watch, explain it to him, tell him to be home at 6, otherwise he will be grounded. Worked for ages, should work for now. (Or to be somewhat less snarky: We should not try to solve every problem with technology, just because we can.)
Technology solves a problem that the old ways could not, or they were inferior.
I recall as a kid my parents driving to the park where we were because a family emergency meant we unexpectedly had to leave now - they would have preferred we walk home while they pack the car (the park was the opposite direction we had to go).
I can say be home at 6, but it is easy to lose track of time. Or say 6 and then realize supper will be ready at 5:30 not 6.
Re: Kids' smartwatches have security problems as simple as 1-2-3
#36Earlier quoted context omitted.
Good on Germany, shame about the free speech though.
I'm perplexed. What do children's smartwatches have to do with free speech?
I don't think a connection is implied. The previous poster is simply expressing his approval of Germany's decision in this particular case, as opposed to their recent attitude and legislation in free speech matters, which it seems he is not a fan of.
Re: Kids' smartwatches have security problems as simple as 1-2-3
#37The software is being pushed so fast into the market and everyone doesn't want to be left behind. Security features are one of the first ones to be ignored, and that's very bad.
It might be bad for the customers/users, but because everyone does it, it doesn't seem bad for the companies.
Until backlash.
e.g. people ditching Fitbit because Google bought them.
Re: Kids' smartwatches have security problems as simple as 1-2-3
#38Why is "eavesdropping" on children such a big issue? Our "adult" devices may or may not be eavesdropping on us at all times.
For the same reason we don't allow children access to alcohol and tobacco. Society had a duty to protect them until they can decide for themselves.
I can't decide to turn off all the phones around me on the street, in the DMV, in a restaurant, in a store, etc.
Re: Kids' smartwatches have security problems as simple as 1-2-3
#39Troy Hunt has a great write-up about one such product from easily this year: https://www.troyhunt.com/how-to-track-your-kids-and-other-pe...
And he comes to the same conclusion I did: skip the cheap-ass commodity shit and go buy an Apple Watch. Series 3 can be had for US$200, plus the matching phone. Yeah, that’s a shit-ton of money. That’s what it costs to track your child and not get something from a company that scrimped on security to have an office party (documented in the article).
Because the whole time I’m reading the article thinking, “oh, c’mon, I could scrape together capital to do better than that. Ain’t gonna be $69 at Wal-Mart, though.” As I designed it in my head, I realized that for $200 I’d redesigned what Apple already sells, and my low volume would have a hard time beating $200 on cost.
Re: Kids' smartwatches have security problems as simple as 1-2-3
#40Security flaws are almost expected in devices like this. While parents equipping their children with these watches are probably a security risk themselves, I believe the realities of software development can explain the flaws we are seeing. I doubt the software has seen any tests at all. The developers are probably happy that it works at all.
When you read that one reseller “didn’t have money for security” lest they not have an office Christmas party, it’s obvious that it is not a systemic problem in software development itself.
“Almost expected”? Only if one is there for the cash-grab.