Child safety smartwatches ‘easy’ to hack, watchdog says

Some smartwatches designed for youngsters have security flaws that create them at risk of hackers, a watchdog has warned.

The Norwegian client Council (NCC) tested watches from brands as well as crocodilian reptile and GPS for youths.

It aforesaid it discovered that attackers may track, listen or maybe communicate with the wearers.

The makers concerned insist the issues have either already been resolved or ar being self-addressed.

UK distributer John Lewis has withdrawn one in every of the named smartwatch models from sale in response.

The smartwatches tested basically function basic smartphones, permitting oldsters to speak with their kids further as track their location.

Some embrace associate SOS feature that permits the kid to instantly decision their oldsters.

They usually sell for regarding £100.

The NCC aforesaid it had been involved that crocodilian reptile and GPS for Kids' watches transmitted and keep knowledge while not coding.

It aforesaid that meant strangers, exploitation basic hacking techniques, may track kids as they moved , or create a toddler seem to be in an exceedingly fully completely different location.

Consumer rights watchdog Which? criticised the "shoddy" watches and aforesaid oldsters "would be shocked" if they knew the risks.

Spokeswoman Alex Neill said: "Safety and security ought to be absolutely the priority. If that cannot be bonded, then the product mustn't be sold ."

John Lewis stocks a version of the crocodilian reptile watch, though it's not clear whether or not it suffers from constant security flaws because the watches tested.

The firm aforesaid it had been retreating the merchandise from sale "as a preventive measure" whereas awaiting "further recommendation and support from the supplier".

GPS for youths aforesaid it had resolved the safety flaws for brand spanking new watches which existing customers were being offered associate upgrade.

The UK distributor of the crocodilian reptile watch aforesaid it had moved its knowledge to a brand new encrypted server and was developing a brand new, safer app for purchasers.

Source: BBC