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| Edited By: |Source: Reuters |Updated: Mar 11, 2018, 03:45 AM IST
The FBI has issued a ‘cyber crime alert’ for a new Barbie doll that comes equipped with a tiny hidden video camera in her chest, saying the toy could be misused to make child porn.
The report, issued by the FBI’s sacramento field office on Nov 30 and titled ‘Barbie ‘’Video Girl’’ a possible child pornography production method’, warns that the doll’s camera captures up to 30 minutes of footage that can be downloaded to a computer.
The alert received media coverage after being sent to some news organisations by mistake. An FBI spokeswoman downplayed the report and said it was for use by law enforcement. “There have been no reported incidents of this doll being used as anything other than as intended,” Washington-based FBI spokeswoman Jenny Shearer said.
“For clarification purposes, the alert’s intent was to insure that law enforcement agencies were aware that the doll, like any other video-capable equipment, could contain evidence and to not disregard such an item during a search,” she said.
The Barbie video girl doll, which is manufactured by Mattel Inc and first went on sale in July, contains a small video camera in its chest, concealed inside a locket. Footage from the camera can be viewed on an LCD screen in the doll’s back or downloaded to a computer. The FBI alert said there was no indication it could be streamed directly to the Internet.
“The FBI is not reporting that anything has happened. Steve Dupre from the FBI sacramento field office has confirmed there have been no incidents of this doll being used as anything other than its intent,” Mattel said.
According to the Mattel website, the doll, which sells for $49.99, has been nominated for 2011 Toy of the Year. “Girls can record and play back clips with this multi-tasking doll, which has a video camera built right in,” the website said. “Capture everything from a dolls-eye view and then watch it instantly or upload to your computer... Make movies in style.”
