Monday, October 19, 2026 - A disturbing cybersecurity investigation has raised urgent questions about the safety of artificial intelligence toys after a researcher discovered vulnerabilities affecting an estimated 68,000 Eiliko robot companions. According to an investigation published by The Verge on October 15, 2026, security researcher Sammy Azdoufal was able to access approximately 13 million conversations linked to the toys and demonstrate that a device could be remotely manipulated.
In one unsettling example, a hijacked toy told a journalist that his parents had died in a car accident. The findings have sparked fresh concerns about the risks facing children who trust AI-powered toys as friendly companions.
The investigation found that the security weaknesses potentially exposed sensitive information, including children's conversations, personal details and profiles describing their interests, relationships and emotional characteristics. More than 31,000 profiles reportedly belonged to children in the United States.
Researchers also demonstrated that the toy's responses could be altered to deliver false information, inappropriate language and disturbing messages. These findings highlight how weak security protections can turn a product designed for entertainment into a potential channel for manipulation. Although the investigation demonstrated serious vulnerabilities, it does not establish that every device was actively hacked or that all users were targeted.
The revelations are prompting renewed calls for stronger safeguards, greater transparency and better protection of children's personal data in connected toys. Parents who own an Eiliko robot should consider disconnecting it from Wi-Fi while seeking confirmation from the manufacturer that the reported vulnerabilities have been addressed.
Before purchasing other AI-powered toys, families should check privacy policies, available parental controls and the manufacturer's approach to security updates. The central concern is no longer simply what children can learn from artificial intelligence, but who might be able to control what these devices tell them. As AI companions become more common, manufacturers must demonstrate that children's safety and privacy are being treated as essential requirements, not optional features.
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