Consumer advocates push for AI toy safety transparency
Consumer advocates push for AI toy safety transparency
https://www.wsaw.com/2026/02/13/consumer-advocates-push-ai-toy-safety-transparency/
Publish Date: 2026-02-13 15:08:00
Source Domain: www.wsaw.com
- Consumer advocates, including R.J. Cross of U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), are demanding greater transparency from toymakers regarding safety practices concerning AI-powered chatbots in children’s toys.
- Cross’s recent reports have highlighted unsafe responses from AI-powered toys, raising concerns among parents and experts about product safety and data practices.
- U.S. PIRG, along with 107 experts in childhood development, health professionals, and civil society organizations, has written a letter urging AI toymakers to commit to greater transparency in safety testing protocols.
- There is bipartisan support from Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal to examine and demand transparency about the testing protocols and data handling by AI toy companies.
- Cross advises parents to ensure that AI toys are used in shared spaces where interactions can be monitored and to look out for any AI features like built-in microphones or cameras that could raise privacy concerns.
- Long-term concerns persist about the potential negative impacts of AI toys on children’s social development and safety.
