WASHINGTON — Parents are being urged to take caution after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced action against Apitor Technology, a robot toy maker accused of violating children’s privacy laws by sending kids’ location data from its mobile app to a third party in China without parental consent.
The FTC said the app required Android users to activate location services in order to connect their toys, allowing precise geolocation details to be transmitted overseas. Regulators allege Apitor never provided notice to parents or obtained their consent, as required under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
Apitor’s toys are marketed to children ages 6-14 and sold across the United States, including through Amazon and Walmart. Popular kits include:
- Apitor Robot-S — 10-in-1 programmable STEM robot kit
- Apitor Robot-X — 12-in-1 coding robot with sensors and motors
- Apitor Robot-E — beginner-friendly 14-in-1 robot kit
- Apitor Robot-J — 6-in-1 kit with multiple build options and remote control
- Apitor SuperBot — 18-in-1 set with more than 400 pieces and app-based
What the FTC Says
Under the proposed settlement, Apitor must delete any personal data collected from children without parental consent, unless parents are later notified and approve. The company must also obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting new data, notify families in advance if collection occurs, limit how long data is stored and ensure that any third-party partners meet COPPA standards. A $500,000 penalty was issued but suspended based on Apitor’s claimed inability to pay.
Additional Steps for Families
While the FTC’s order sets rules for the company, parents can take their own steps now. Families who already have Apitor toys at home should begin by reviewing the companion app installed on their child’s device. If location access is enabled and you didn’t grant consent, disable it — or consider uninstalling the app altogether.
For families in Southern Maryland, where STEM toys and robotics kits are increasingly popular in schools and at home, the case highlights the importance of knowing what apps are installed on children’s devices and how they handle data.
See action taken against Apitor in the FTC press release here.
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