SAN FRANCISCO — The FBI has issued an alert on Mattel’s Barbie Video Girl, which has a video- camera lens built into its necklace that can record up to 30 minutes of footage to be downloaded on a computer. Officials warn that it could be used to produce child pornography but say they don’t have any reported crimes.
The FBI’s Sacramento office issued a report with the warning on the doll last month.
FBI spokesman Steve Dupre says the alert was inadvertently sent to the media but was meant for law enforcement agencies, advising them not to overlook the doll during any searches.
The agency said “the alert’s intent was to ensure law enforcement agencies were aware that the doll — like any other video-capable equipment — could contain evidence and to not disregard such an item during a search.”
A Mattel spokeswoman said there were no reports of the doll being used in criminal activity.
