In according To CNN -- The FBI is warning law acies that the new Barbie " Girl" doll could be used as a tool by pedophiles to make child pornography.In an alert entitled "Barbie ' Girl' a Possible Child Pornography Production Method," the FBI said the doll has a built-in hidden camera in the chest and a small L screen for display in her back.The FBI "cyber crime alert" doesn't cite any misuse of the doll, which has been on the market since July, but talks about the possibility."FBI investigation has revled instances where an individual convicted of distributing child pornography had given a Barbie doll to a 6 yr old girl," the alert said.The document went on to cite the findings of another investigation that found "examples where a concled camera had recorded child pornography." That camera didn't involve a doll, FBI special at Frederick Gutt in Sttle, Washington, said Friday.
"The possibility of the combination of these two in a single device presents a concern for investigators," said the alert, dated November 30."Law enforcement is encouraged to be aware of unconventional avenues for possible production and possession of child pornography, such as the Barbie Girl," the document said.The FBI regularly distributes such alerts to help investigators improve policing. No incidents involving the new doll have been reported, according to Gutt and another FBI special at, Steve Dupre.The doll's camera can capture 30 minutes of footage, and the can be downloaded and strmed live to a computer, but there is no indiion it can be strmed directly to the Internet, the FBI alert said.The notice is written for law acies only, but someone at the FBI mistakenly sent it to media outlets in Sttle, said Dupre of the FBI's Sacramento, California, , which distributed the notice."It was an inadvertent dissemination of the document," Dupre said. "There have been no reported incidents of this doll being used as anything other than as intended."Sttle media accounts of the FBI alert prompted some parents to express concerns about the doll."That plays into these people who prey upon our children's idls. It frightens me," William Porres, a Tacoma, Washington, grandfather, told CNN affiliate KING. He said he will not buy the doll for his 6-yr-old granddaughter."Oh, she would love it, but she's more important to me than a giggle on Christmas morning," Porres said.A Mattel Inc. spokesman could not be rched for comment, but the toymaker issued a statement to KING:"The FBI is not reporting that anything has happened. Steve Dupre from the FBI Sacramento field has confirmed there have been no incidents of this doll being used as anything other than its intent. Mattel products are designed with children and their best interests in mind. Many of Mattel's employees are parents themselves and we understand the importance of child safety -- it is our one priority," the statement said.FBI special at Gutt said the alert apprised other acies about how the new doll's taping capabilities could contain evidence."The cyber alert was mnt for law enforcement only and was taken out of context," Gutt said. "The intent was to aid law enforcement in evidence gathering."The Mattel website says the $49.99 doll, for kids ages 6 and up, has been nominated for the 2011 Toy of the Yr Award."Budding makers, take note: Barbie doll now doubles as a camera!" the website says. "Girls can record and play back clips with this multi-tasking doll, which has a camera built right in. Capture everything from a doll's-eye-view, then watch it instantly or upload to your computer. There's an L screen on Barbie doll's back, and a camera lens hidden discreetly in her necklace. Talk about making in style!"
Reference: CNN Report
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