By Eugen Alexandru Bughiu, founder of RURU · Updated October 2026 · We make RURU and RIRI, and we say so where it matters.
Before you buy an AI toy, check how it listens (push-to-talk or always on), what it records and for how long, whether you can see and delete your child's conversations, how it connects to the internet, and who the company is. If the seller cannot answer these questions clearly, choose another toy. The 12 questions below, based on guidance from the FBI and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, will help you check any AI or connected toy.
We make RURU, an AI plush toy, so we have gone through this list ourselves. At the end we show how RURU answers each point, using only what is on our FAQ.
Key takeaways
- AI toys have a microphone and an internet connection, so privacy matters as much as physical safety.
- Push-to-talk is the single most useful privacy feature.
- Choose toys with a parent app that shows every conversation and lets you delete it.
- Secure your home Wi-Fi, use a strong password and share as little personal information as possible.
Why AI toy privacy matters
Connected toys are not new, and neither are the warnings. The FBI's public service announcement on Internet-connected toys notes that these toys may contain microphones, cameras, speech recognition and Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections, and that weak security could allow hackers to access the toy or eavesdrop on conversations.
In the United States, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) applies to online services directed at children under 13, including connected toys. The FTC has clarified that an audio file containing a child's voice counts as personal information, and described limited cases where a voice recording used only to carry out a request and then deleted is treated differently (FTC enforcement policy statement on voice recordings).
More recently, Common Sense Media's 2026 risk assessment found that AI toys collect extensive data in children's private spaces, including voice recordings, transcripts and behavioral data. In its parent poll, 83% of parents said they were at least moderately concerned about the collection of personal information.
The AI toy privacy checklist
Listening and recording
- Does it listen only when a button is pressed? Push-to-talk means the microphone is not waiting for a wake word in the background.
- Is a recording kept, and for how long? Look for a clear statement in the FAQ or privacy policy. "Only as long as needed to provide the service" is the kind of answer you want.
- Does it have a camera? Most AI plush toys do not need one. If a toy has a camera, ask why.
Parent control
- Can you see every question and answer? A parent app with a full conversation history lets you check what your child is hearing.
- Can you delete the history yourself? Look for "delete any or all" rather than "contact support".
- Can you adjust how it talks? Answer length, simplicity and language settings let you match the toy to your child.
Connection and security
- How does it connect? The FBI recommends connecting toys only to trusted, secured Wi-Fi and using a PIN or password for Bluetooth pairing.
- Does it get updates? Check whether the toy and app receive software updates and security fixes, and install them.
- Is there a parent account with a strong password? Use a unique password, as you would for email.
The company
- Is the privacy policy easy to find and read? If you cannot find it before you buy, that is a warning sign.
- Is there a real contact address? The FBI suggests checking that company contact information is openly available for questions or concerns.
- What happens if the company stops the service? Online toys rely on the company's online service. Check the warranty and how long the company has been selling the product.
How to set up any AI toy safely at home
- Share the minimum. Use a first name or nickname. The FBI recommends providing only what is minimally required when creating accounts.
- Teach a simple rule. "We never tell the toy our address, school, phone number or passwords."
- Check the history. Look at the conversation log once or twice a week, especially in the first month.
- Keep it in shared spaces at first. Living room and kitchen are better than the bedroom while your child gets used to it.
- Switch it off when not in use, as the FBI advises for toys with microphones.
- Talk about AI. Explain that the toy is a computer that can make mistakes, and that it is not a real friend.
For the wider picture beyond privacy, including content, age and emotional attachment, read are AI toys safe for kids? and what age is right for an AI toy.
How RURU answers the checklist
Here is what our FAQ says on each point:
- Listening: RURU only listens when your child presses the button and talks. Conversations are processed to generate the reply.
- Recordings: we do not keep voice recordings longer than needed to provide the service.
- History: the parent app shows every question and answer, and you can delete any or all of it at any time.
- Settings: you choose answer length, simplicity and how many follow-up questions RURU asks, plus the language.
- Screen and ads: no screen, no ads, no subscription.
- Company: RURU is designed in Romania. You can reach us at contact@robotulruru.ro, and there is a 12-month warranty. Full details are in our privacy policy.
Is RURU right for your child?
It may suit you if your child is 6 or older and you want an AI toy where you stay in control: push-to-talk, a full conversation history, settings you choose and no monthly fee. See RURU or its pink bunny twin RIRI.
It is not for you if you prefer a toy that never connects to the internet. In that case, a recordable plush or a simple offline audio player is the better choice, and our screen-free gift guide has ideas.
Frequently asked questions
Do AI toys record your child?
Many AI toys record a child's voice to understand the question. Check whether the toy listens only when a button is pressed, how long recordings are kept and whether you can delete them. RURU only listens when your child presses the button, and voice recordings are not kept longer than needed to provide the service.
Can AI toys be hacked?
Any connected device can have security weaknesses. The FBI recommends using trusted, secured Wi-Fi, strong passwords, Bluetooth pairing PINs and installing updates, and researching the toy's security before buying.
Does COPPA apply to AI toys?
In the United States, COPPA applies to online services directed at children under 13, including connected toys. The FTC has said an audio file containing a child's voice is personal information under the rule.
What is the most important AI toy privacy feature?
Push-to-talk, so the toy listens only when your child presses a button, plus a parent app where you can see and delete every conversation.
Can I see what my child says to RURU?
Yes. The free RURU app shows every question and answer, and you can delete the history whenever you want.