Child Voice Data: The Smart Toy Privacy
Context
Your smart toys collect children's voice data, despite parental deletion requests. This data improves AI voice recognition, but may violate Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) regulations regarding children's privacy..
Dilemma
Do you:
A) Continue current practices, maximizing AI improvement, or
B) Fully comply with COPPA, potentially hindering development?
Summary
Amazon is accused of violating children’s privacy laws by retaining kids’ Alexa voice recordings indefinitely to train its algorithms. Despite promising parents they could delete their children’s data, Amazon allegedly failed to honor deletion requests, putting sensitive information at risk. The company also did not properly delete Alexa users’ voice and geolocation data. As part of a proposed order, Amazon must pay $25 million, revise its deletion practices, and strengthen privacy protections. The case highlights concerns over data security and Amazon’s handling of user information, particularly for children.
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| Last modified: | 10 April 2025 4.09 p.m. |