TALKING ANGELA: Beware the App Predator

My five-year old daughter was recently looking for a new app for her Kindle Fire and she had set her sights on Outfit7 Limited’s Talking Angela—a sister app of Talking Tom, My Talking Angela, and several other apps that interact with your child. Each “Talking” app features a different cartoon cat that repeats what your child says to it in a high, squeaky voice. Kids love them for their cuteness and the adorable mimicry. Adults like them for their ease of use and seemingly innocent entertainment. But are these apps really just innocent entertainment?

According to many of the negative comments that accompany the Talking Angela’s product page, that app is being controlled by a hacker. Or a pedophile. Or according to some accounts … a strange man sitting in a chair that watches your child through their device’s camera. Several reviewers have even claimed that if you try to delete the app, Angela will call you directly and many reiterate how family members, friends or children from a nearby neighborhood have been kidnapped. That's probably the biggest fear of every parent, but there is something you can do to make sure your kids are safe: spy equipment for cell phone devices. 

Don’t believe me? Take a look at some of the reviews below:

Totally creepy

This app is a total bust!!!!! So called "Angela" has reflections of rooms in her eyes and likes "funny drinks"!!! This so called child friendly app only lets you touch her butt and breasts!! She asked for my phone number and asked me how old I am. And the only thing she ever talks about is love and how "Tom" rescued her from a "bad" place down town. She also asked me about personal information about my friends!! So called Angela is a crazy stalker!!!!! WARNING DO NOT INSTALL THIS APP!!!!!!!

—Emma

Why I deleted Talking Angela

I deleted the app after my daughter complained of a man in a mask appearing in the room "inside Angela's eyes". The man apparently made threats, like "I'm going to get you". Not sure what is going on but I'm not taking any chances.

—Spencer Mitchell

DANGEROUS

This game was hacked and it asks you your address, pin number, etc. It takes pics of you and if you look closely into her eyes, you can see a guy. A girl was already kidnapped! Do not buy!

—Violeton

Do not let your kids get this game they might be at risk

I have heard that this game is a little Inappropriate for kids on top of that I have heard a kidnapper has hacked into this game and takes pictures of kids and gathers their personal information like name where they live and how old they are. It is said if you look in Angela's eyes you can see a room. Sometimes there is a outline of a man in the room sometimes there is not. I also heard this man has kidnapped three kids already so parents and kid be safe and do not I repeat do not download this game for you safety this may be a rumor I do not know but I think it is the truth it's been all over the news lately so please do not get this game kids I know your thinking what a loser!!! Telling me what to do. But please just don't get this game.

—This game hacks you i am not sure though dont get this game

Do not get this app

I was playing this app with the camera covered. the cat said in a robot voice to me don't cover the camera I want to see your face. Then it said where do u live. I told the cat none of your business. Then she asked again and I said a fake address. The cat said im coming for u and the app turned off. I deleted the app after. Then I played mine craft and I saw a cat that looked like Angela. She said still searching for your address. Then she said whatever u do don't turn off your device. After I reset my device. Siri went on and she said "hi I'm talking Angela". I restart my device again and nothing happens. DO NOT GET THIS FOR YOUR KIDS.

—Anthony Alessioon

With 60% of the comments giving the app a 1 Star rating on Amazon.com, it’s easy to see that something is going on. However, many of these are obviously written by children—or adults who lack command of the English language—judging by the spelling, grammar and sentence structuring of each comment. So take the negative comments with a big grain of salt. But word to the wise, as with any app, parental guidance is always suggested, but sometimes that's not enough. As a parent you can use spy equipment for cell phones to monitor what your child does on their cell phone. Spy equipment cell phones should be the number one thing in any parents fight against pedofiles and cyber-stalkers. 

There are many sources that have rebutted the hacker/pedophile claims all over the Internet. Here is a good video that explains how it’s all just an urban myth—just like how Mikey from the Life Cereal 70's commercials died in the 80's after mixing Pop Rocks and Cola.