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DutchieTalking t1_j269itr wrote

Reply to comment by NinjaBilly55 in Experts warn smart toys for children could be collecting user data that might be sold by AmethystOrator

Since when have furbies been smart?

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thealthor t1_j26tr9h wrote

They weren't, it was an overaction to the supposed gimmick of the toy that could learn to talk by interacting with the user, but it was all preprogramed and not actually listening in any way.

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jang859 t1_j26wdpf wrote

I had the feeling this is how it worked at the time. I knew the tech doesn't allow this even as a kid.

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NinjaBilly55 t1_j26a1nl wrote

They were the first toys that I'm aware of that posed a security risk.. I was working at the Department of Energy during the Furby craze and they were banned from all Government buildings..

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thealthor t1_j26rk5m wrote

It was rescinded because they did not pose a security risk. It was a gimmick that it could "listen and learn from you" but it was only preprogrammed to go from non-sensical to talking no matter what was said to it. It didn't listen at all.

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dingosaurus t1_j26cr0m wrote

I remember that being all over the new when I was in high school. Blew my mind at the time.

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