Are the small people in your life demanding a dog? Are you unprepared to add a real furry member to your family? Welp, here comes Dog-E, the one-in-a-million robot dog. Unlike its living counterpart, Dog-E’s poops are digital, they only bark on command, and they’ll never get tired of playing robot games with your kids. And the lights that make Dog-E’s eyes, paws, and tail unique come in all kinds of randomly generated colors. Fun! Dog-E does have an app, but using it is optional.
What could happen if something goes wrong?
Wowwee! (Sorry) But, Wowwee’s privacy policy is so short that the whole thing almost fits on a single screen! That’s because Dog-E and Wowwee’s other toys don’t really collect any personal information -- from kids or adults. Even so, they make sure to write that they “do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to others,” always a welcome sight.
If you decide to play with Dog-E using the app, you can feed them e-treats, teach them e-tricks, and play exciting games such as Ultimate Nose Boop and Turbo Pet. Wowwee will collect some data from these interactions, but it won’t be connected to Dog-E’s owner. So your kid’s compulsive nose boopin’ will stay between them and their robotic BFF. Our only question mark about Dog-E's app is why is needs to access to your precise location information when you use it. That seems a bit odd, but we're not too worried about it. And if screens are a no-go for your kiddo then they can also play with Dog-E sans app. With his tail, Dog-E can tell you their name, whether they’ve pooped, and even accept imaginary treats and head pats. Fun!
What's the worst that could happen with Dog-E and privacy? Well, probably not much, really. Honestly, your biggest worry is probably how this little Dog-E could lead to more cries for a real-life doggie. Good luck with that!
Tips to protect yourself
- Parents, keep a sharp eye on parent controls and permissions.
- Do not sign up with third-party accounts. Better just log in with email and strong password.
- Chose a strong password! You may use a password control tool like 1Password, KeePass etc
- Use your device privacy controls to limit access to your personal information via app (do not give access to your camera, microphone, images, location unless neccessary)
- Keep your app regularly updated
- Limit ad tracking via your device (eg on iPhone go to Privacy -> Advertising -> Limit ad tracking) and biggest ad networks (for Google, go to Google account and turn off ad personalization)
- Request your data be deleted once you stop using the app. Simply deleting an app from your device usually does not erase your personal data.
- When starting a sign-up, do not agree to tracking of your data if possible.
Can it snoop on me?
Camera
Device: No
App: No
Microphone
Device: No
App: No
Tracks location
Device: No
App: Yes
What can be used to sign up?
No
Phone
No
Third-party account
No
What data does the company collect?
Personal
Username
Body related
Social
How does the company use this data?
How can you control your data?
What is the company’s known track record of protecting users’ data?
No known privacy or security vulnerabilities found in the last three years.
Child Privacy Information
Can this product be used offline?
User-friendly privacy information?
WowWee has a very short, easy to read privacy policy.
Links to privacy information
Does this product meet our Minimum Security Standards?
Encryption
Strong password
Security updates
Manages vulnerabilities
Privacy policy
Does the product use AI?
Dive Deeper
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WowWee Launches MINTiD Dog-E, The One In A Million Robot Dog, at CES 2023PR Newswire
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