Smart Toys that are the Stuff of Nightmares [Editorial]

Hello Barbie tries to engage with children in intelligible and freeflowing conversation by asking and responding to questions, as well as being able to learn about its users over time [4). As Mattel's website says [1): “Just like a real friend, Hello Barbie doll listens and adapts to the user's likes and dislikes” [5). ToyTalk does recognize that “no security measures are perfect” and that no method of data transmission can ever be “guaranteed against any interception or other type of misuse.”