Chinese Toymaker Accused of Collecting Data on Children in US Also Sold Products in Canada

A child looks at his phone in this undated file photo. U.S. authorities have taken action against a Chinese toymaker saying it failed to disclose to users that its companion app for the company's robotic toys allowed a third party to collect geolocation information on users without their knowledge. William West/AFP via Getty Images

A Chinese manufacturer of robotic toys accused by U.S. authorities of collecting kids’ geolocation information for a third party without parental consent has also been selling the products in Canada.

Toymaker Apitor Technology Co. was accused last month by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. The act requires websites, apps, and other online services for children younger than 13 to notify parents about the collection of data, and obtain verifiable consent from parents before collecting the information.