TechTECH WATCH

Cute robot toy 'Eiliko' sends kids' chats to Chinese servers

The marshmallow-shaped Eiliko changes its cartoon face to match your mood, and its AI companion can store everything said to it; a very chatty friend.

On air: Hank Ledger and Vera Bullock on BBN This Morning
Published 7:16 AM ET, Thursday, October 15, 2026

Photo: Gnsin · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0

▶ As it aired · Tech

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger and Vera Bullock on this story, from BBN This Morning at 7:16 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are The Verge's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Gnsin · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Robot — Photo: Gnsin · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0

At a glance

First reported by The Verge: “Your secrets aren’t safe with this cute robot toy — they’re on Chinese servers ready to be hacked”.
Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 7:16 AM ET on BBN This Morning, by Hank Ledger and Vera Bullock.
Topics: Chinese.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The VergeYour secrets aren’t safe with this cute robot toy — they’re on Chinese servers ready to be hacked

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWe promised you this one: a cute marshmallow of a robot toy called Eiliko changes its cartoon face to match your mood, and The Verge reports that if you or your kids talk to it over Wi-Fi, it phones home to China.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIts AI companion can store literally everything you tell it on Chinese servers, where the data could be hacked.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorParents, this is a good moment to check what your kid's new best friend is actually listening to.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorEverything.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorBut it's so adorable! It makes a little sad face when you're sad, and a server farm somewhere is taking notes.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorMy toaster has never asked how I feel, and I trust it more.

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