Kids’ smartwatches are meant to keep children safe, but hackers can turn them into stalking devices

A smartwatch marketed to assist parents in monitoring their offspring has proven alarmingly simple to exploit. Security researchers recently demonstrated how hackers could surreptitiously monitor an individual wearing a GPS-equipped kids' smartwatch. They could surreptitiously observe the wearer, capture images, and even track location data without the user's knowledge.

Wired reported these findings, underscoring a broader issue that extends far beyond this particular gadget. Researchers Vangelis Stykas and Felipe Solferini, using a $30 children's smartwatch purchased online, discovered they could covertly follow the wearer throughout the day. Even when the GPS signal faltered, the watch continued transmitting nearby Wi-Fi information, enabling the researchers to ascertain the wearer's location.

They also remotely activated the camera to snap photos and listened through the built-in microphone, all without any discernible warning on the device. The watch operates on SETracker, a platform developed by Shenzhen firm YiQingTeng, which contained an authentication flaw that permitted anyone to send commands to any connected device.

What makes this discovery particularly troubling is that the smartwatch is not unique. It exemplifies a pattern observed in other family-oriented connected devices, where outsiders gain silent access without the family being aware. According to the researchers, numerous smartwatch brands rely on the same underlying software platforms and backend services.

The researchers identified vulnerabilities that could enable attackers to access locations, intercept messages, alter emergency contacts, record audio, and capture photos or videos on compatible devices. These issues were privately reported to the relevant parties months ago. While one company reportedly resolved some flaws shortly before their public disclosure, others did not respond or remained vulnerable.

After examining over 70 GPS-enabled devices, the researchers concluded that millions of smartwatches and vehicle trackers are manufactured using just a handful of shared supply chains. This implies that a single security flaw could impact products sold under various brand names, leaving parents unaware that they are sending their child's location to the same vulnerable server, regardless of the brand.

The luxury customization brand Caviar has unveiled a high-end version of the Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, replacing the standard design with 24-karat gold accents and an alligator leather case, and has price-tagged it at $6,840. Caviar, known for transforming mainstream gadgets into luxury items, has adopted a similar approach for wearable AI technology.

The Odyssey, a limited-edition smart glass, reflects the growing trend of AI glasses entering the mainstream, as companies like Meta, Google, and Apple invest in wearable computing. However, Caviar is not focused on enhancing the underlying technology. Instead, it gambles that exclusivity alone will entice wealthy buyers to spend nearly ten times the price of the standard product.

Apple is anticipated to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro lineup in the coming weeks. Ahead of the launch, the company has raised trade-in estimates for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watch models in the United States, and has also included a limited selection of Android phones, such as those from Samsung, Google, and OnePlus.