Parents Alarmed by Recycled Phone Numbers on Kids' Smartwatches Linked to Strangers

A social media post by a parent has sparked widespread concern among Israeli parents regarding phone numbers assigned to children's smartwatches. The parent discovered that the number allocated to their daughter's smartwatch was linked to an active WhatsApp account belonging to an unknown individual. When the parent messaged the number, a stranger responded in real-time, but the WhatsApp account disappeared shortly after the parent explained it was for a child's watch. The mother emphasized that there was no proof of a security breach, suggesting the number might have been previously used and reassigned.

The initial post triggered numerous similar accounts from other parents. One parent reported their daughter receiving inappropriate calls from men asking about her services. Another parent claimed their son's new number, assigned to a smartwatch, received hundreds of calls and messages in Arabic, which they alleged was previously used by a "terror operative." This parent stated they changed the number, but two months later, another child answered when the old number was called.

These incidents highlight the potential issue of recycled phone numbers. When a number is reassigned, associated accounts or data on certain services might persist until the account is deleted or the number is re-registered. While the article stresses that these cases do not confirm security breaches or unauthorized access to the smartwatches themselves, it advises parents to verify the assigned numbers. Simple checks, such as testing the number on WhatsApp or observing incoming calls and messages, can help identify potential issues before giving the watch to a child. Parents are encouraged to document any concerning interactions and report them to their mobile carrier and the service provider.