Barbie doll can be used to make porn, warns FBI
Source: Agencies |
December 8, 2010, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE US Federal Bureau of Investigation 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 November 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 organizations 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, reading from a statement. "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."
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. According to the Mattel website, the doll, which sells for US$49.99, has been nominated for 2011 Toy of the Year.
The report, issued by the FBI's Sacramento field office on November 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 organizations 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, reading from a statement. "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."
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. According to the Mattel website, the doll, which sells for US$49.99, has been nominated for 2011 Toy of the Year.
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