Smart toys and children´s right to privacy: A case study on hello barbie

Abstract

This thesis navigates the intricate and evolving relationship between children's inherent right to privacy and the integration of smart toys into their lives, with a focused exploration into the implications personified by Hello Barbie. In a contemporary landscape dominated by pervasive digital engagements, the potential implications on children's privacy rights have magnified, demanding heightened scrutiny and deliberate action. Through a comprehensive lens, this study probes the convergence of smart toys, data aggregation, and the fundamental tenets enshrined in both the General Data Protection Regulation and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. At its core, Hello Barbie stands as an illustrative exemplar, warranting an in-depth investigation into its functionalities, methodologies for data acquisition, and the ensuing impact on the privacy of children. This thesis endeavors to dissect the extent to which Hello Barbie aligns with the GDPR's stringent requisites for data protection and privacy through an incisive and methodical analysis. Unveiling insights garnered from the analysis, the research reveals a mosaic of complexities inherent in the collection, storage, and utilization of children's data by smart toys. These revelations often unfurl ethical quandaries, legal intricacies, and societal implications, galvanizing an urgent call to action. It underscores the imperative for a unified and collaborative effort, enlisting the active participation of parents, stakeholders, and legislators, to fortify the safeguards enveloping children's privacy within the digital sphere. This collective endeavor necessitates heightened awareness, robust regulatory frameworks, and a profound integration of ethical considerations in the very fabric of smart toy conception and deployment. The culmination of this discourse emphasizes an unequivocal advocacy for a proactive stance in bolstering the rights safeguarding children's privacy. It accentuates the indispensable role incumbent upon each stakeholder in nurturing a digital world that is not only secure but also respects and upholds the privacy rights of children. By amalgamating the insights garnered from the GDPR and the UNCRC, this thesis fervently urges for concerted endeavors to recalibrate the landscape of smart toys, thus empowering children with the unassailable right to privacy without compromising the richness of their digital experiences or the sanctity of their safety.