Mattel has nixed its AI smart-home for kids, after parents and experts voiced their concerns—an issue we predicted earlier this year.

Mattel has nixed its AI smart-home for kids, after parents and experts voiced their concerns—an issue we predicted earlier this year. Though Mattel assured the public that “high-level encryption” would abide by child privacy laws, critics were still concerned Mattel would get “an unprecedented look into the personal lives of children.” Not to mention the unknown “effects of tech devices on early childhood development.” Looks like Alexa will not be getting a younger brother in the smart speaker family, and concerns over children’s toy security issues will continue. (NYTimes, WP)