New report: Sophisticated toys come with big risks this holiday season

Teddy bear on a smart phone with a computer chip
Photo credit Meng Sok/iStock / Getty Images Plus

Consumer advocates say electronic toys are becoming a bigger threat to your family's privacy and security. The Illinois Public Interest Research Group Education Fund is out with it's annual report called Trouble in Toyland.

Director Abe Scarr says one of the biggest concerns is smart toys, "these are any toys that come with things like microphones, cameras, or connect with the internet or bluetooth."

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One of the primary concerns -- lax security protocols, "for example we bought a toy for a report that claimed to have a security password to connect to bluetooth, but when we got it out of the box, anybody could connect, including strangers."

Another concern for Scarr is the data that companies may be able to collect from the toy or any connected apps.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Meng Sok/iStock / Getty Images Plus