The Friend necklace, equipped with artificial intelligence and intended to be a virtual friend, is ultimately not available in France. Despite a massive advertising campaign, the startup has suspended sales to comply with the GDPR.
Indeed, the commercial rollout planned in Europe by the Californian company is encountering numerous legal issues.
First, “recording someone’s conversations without their knowledge is illegal under the Penal Code,” points Alan Walter of Walter Billet. If the collar can record an argument with your spouse, a team meeting, or simply your friends’ secrets without their knowledge, the user could be breaking the law.
Second, “this type of listening device constitutes data processing, subject to the GDPR. Therefore, a legal basis is required, which could be the consent of the individuals involved, and in all cases, their being informed. I don’t see how this obligation can be imposed on the collar’s user: should they carry around an information leaflet?” the specialist remarks ironically.
Read Marina Alcaraz’s article in Les Echos.
