Update: We have published a longer post explaining how Talking Angela works, and what you need to know as parents.
There are many wonderful things about Facebook, but the social network is also notorious for spreading hoaxes. The latest is about a children’s app: Talking Angela.
It’s not even a new hoax. A year ago, a rumour swept Facebook that the cutesy talking-cat app was actually something more sinister: pestering kids for personal information, taking their photo and then… Well, it wasn’t made clear what it was doing. But it was probably sinister.
“The truth is that ‘Talking Angela’ appears to be entirely benign, and there are no obvious privacy concerns that differentiate it from thousands of other iPhone apps,” wrote online security company Sophos at the time, warning parents not to believe the dire warnings on Facebook.
“The app’s purpose is to wait until the child says something and then mimic what they say back to them (albeit in a Parisian feline fashion) rather than to pilfer details of where they go to school.”
A year later, and the rumour is back and sweeping Facebook, in some cases with the additional suggestion that Talking Angela is in some way a front for a (mis-spelt) “PEDO RING” – a claim that is understandably causing considerable concern for parents who are encountering the hoax for the first time.
Sophos, again, has debunked it. “It’s close to 600 rambling, repetitous words, despite claiming at the start that it didn’t have words to describe the situation. It’s ill-written, and borders on being illiterate and incomprehensible… this is not the sort of posting you should be using to inform yourself about online privacy.”
The only reason for caution around Talking Angela is its use of in-app purchases to buy virtual currency – like any app of this type, we’d recommend you have your in-app purchase restrictions turned on to ensure your children can’t spend your money without your permission.
Anything more sinister? No, it’s harmless. If you’re still worried, we suggest you try it for yourself to understand how the app works – something that’s useful whatever apps your children are using, to be honest.
But if you’ve found this article after reading the rumour on Facebook, hopefully your mind will be set at ease!
Although it may be a hoax and a bogus letter, I still find the app to be inappropriate for children. The latest update for the app states; ” If you want to see Angela act silly and giggle just give her Giggle Juice”, and to me that seems like promoting alcohol to children in a child friendly way. Aside from that there are other reasons why I don’t think this app is appropriate for children, and yes I have in fact downloaded it and played it. So, my concerns don’t come unwarranted.
I totally disagree. If it is safe then its not appropriate. My son downloaded this app before he had an opportunity to say anything this app asked my son how old he was…. Whether you say Facebook post is a hoax it truly asks personal info about our children. I know first hand. It was uninstalled immediately.
I think people need to start doing there own thorough research instead of jumping the gun and being so gullible to what social media is trying to instill in their brains, Stories created by a bored person happens too much and all too often. It is very annoying in my opinion. upon learning about it a couple days ago I was concerned as I have 2 children approaching the age where apps like these will probably be an everyday thing. I wanted to make sure the info was accurate so I researched it further and found it to be nothing more then a Hoax which was a huge relief on my part. I just thought other people should know this too. I am still seeing it being posted on facebook and people are still debating the issue whether its real or not. I hope parents will see this and feel relieved after reading a few News Articles on the subject.
I have downloaded the app and nothing strange has happened to me. I don’t think there is a hacker behind It. Talking Angela is an awesome app which I. Intend to keep unless anything strange does happen x