Cybersecurity experts have said parents should boycott or at least be cautious of VTech’s electronic toys because of how it has handled a hack attack.
They gave the advice after it emerged that VTech’s new terms and conditions state that parents must assume responsibility for future breaches.
More than 6.3 million children’s accounts were affected by last year’s breach, which gave the perpetrator access to photos and chat logs.
VTech says it stands by the new terms.
“Since learning about the hack of its databases, VTech has worked hard to enhance the security of its websites and services and to safeguard customer information,” said a spokeswoman.
“But no company that operates online can provide a 100% guarantee that it won’t be hacked.
“The Learning Lodge terms and conditions, like the T&Cs for many online sites and services, simply recognise that fact by limiting the company’s liability for the acts of third parties such as hackers.
“Such limitations are commonplace on the web.”
‘Full responsibility’
The new terms were flagged by a blog by the Australian security specialist Troy Hunt.
In it, he detailed additional flaws with VTech’s products and alleged that it was misleading for the firm to have described the attack as being “sophisticated”.
e also disclosed that the company had issued new terms and conditions on 24 December for the software that lets parents add apps to its devices and copy off photos and other saved files.
They tell parents:
“You acknowledge and agree that you assume full responsibility for your use of the site and any software or firmware downloaded.
“You acknowledge and agree that any information you send or receive during your use of the site may not be secure and may be intercepted or later acquired by unauthorised parties.
“You acknowledge and agree that your use of the site and any software or firmware downloaded there from is at your own risk.”
