Thanks. The skin itself is actually finished. I'm just working on the Icon package at the moment. I'd like to release them at the same time. 

Well if you think about it, the uglier it is, the better for all of us. Maybe we should be hoping for buttugly...

Irrelevant.

Irrelevant.

Hyperbole.

You have no factual basis for this assumption, considering you have no evidence to support your assertion that that information is going to be used in the manner you believe it will be. You've formed an opinion based on an assumption. That's BAD logic.

Everything marketed is designed to expand profitability. What's your point?

Strawman... hyperbole... also demonstrably untrue. If I were in marketing, I'd likely be making far more than I am now. 

The whole "Internet of Things" is a hacker magnet. Zero or the flimsiest security...a disaster waiting to happen.

Yes, Mattell SHOULD be ashamed for developing such a toy.  Whether or not there are educational and stimulation possibilities, the entire idea is to increase sales via information gathered, thus exploiting children and [obviously] their parents.

Furthermore, I make no assumptions about spying.  The toy is designed to listen to anything within range, whether the child or its parents want it to or not.  There may be private moments that are 'eavesdropped' upon because the doll is unknowingly within hearing distance... and that data is collected and stored by Mattell.  Now this is not to say that Mattell would knowingly misuse that information, but how many big companies have been hacked in recent times, thus compromising client, customer information.  The point is, some information should NEVER be collected/stored... period.  Especially when it comes to children!

Moreover, this doll transmits data over to Mattell via wi-fi, which is fraught with danger when you consider how easily it could be intercepted by rock spiders.  Many a parent has been alarmed by weirdos hacking into their baby monitors [which also operate on wi-fi] to spy/prey on their kids, so NO, it is NOT an acceptable risk under ANY circumstances.

This is something Stardock is obliged to enforce on their websites in accordance with COPPA.

Yes, there are 'children' [and others] out there who insist on exposing themselves to real and actual harm through the ignorant dissemination of personal detail, but adults and others with invested authority/responsibility towards others [children] have a duty of care.

Mattel clearly does not.

More shame them.

One should consider every new product made now a days has the ability to spy.  The new electric meters we are being forced to have can tell the electric company which room is using the most electricity and what time of day.  One would think, so what.  When you take everything into account, it maters.

I don't consider myself as paranoid but I really don't want to be spied on in my own home.  And as Dave said, sometimes we old folks need our grand children to show us how to use the new electronic products. 

When you grow up with certain freedoms you expect things to go a certain way.

When you grow up being spied on you are accustomed to that way of life so one doesn't even think about it.  Its normal, not given another thought.  They look at the ease of things, not the consequences of what is going on.  Its just the new way of life.

Oh well, enough rant.

No, you do. The term "spy" implies espionage. It implies malicious intent. The definition of "spying" is to "observe someone furtively". The term "furtively" is important. It means that that you believe your observation is malicious in some aspect, requiring you to avoid discovery for fear of negative consequences.

It would be the case if they were trying to hide the fact that the doll will send observed data to Mattel. They obviously are not.

From YOUR pov.

Their product is their product and was planned to harvest information.

What are your thoughts regarding cigarettes? That same logic apply to them? The cigarettes are manufactured innocently?

Samsung and Mattel are receiving their just desserts for their missteps...Superfish and Lenovo, as well. In fact, every response keeps this thread "up there" and more visible. Thanks.

So, intelligence gathering on hostile regimes is deleterious? Interesting pov. And Mattel didn't put "Information about your child and his/her conversations will be gathered and transmitted to us." on the outside of the packaging in legible print, but rather ant crap sized print in an included brochure only clear AFTER purchase...really above board, right?

The intentions of a miscreant and to whom he sells information are not apparent so, that argument/statement is not valid, or only partially valid as an IFF. Emotion (among humans as opposed to Vulcans) is perfectly valid.

To quote Cain, "Am I my brother's keeper?"

Hopeless. Really is impossible to get through to you...do you really think your pov is the only right one? Is everyone else wrong?

Am I the only one who assumed anything with recording capabilities that isn't designed for that specific purpose (phone, camera, etc.) or running software under my control is a security/privacy risk? It doesn't take news like this to realize that and refuse to buy these things from the moment they're announced, if you value your privacy.

We live in an age where people will gladly give up their privacy just to be able to chat with people more easily and look at cat pictures. They wouldn't make products with these features if people didn't buy them.