Online data

The regulator has recommended that parents immediately stop use of the "illegal" doll and destroy its internal microphone.

The doll -- called My Friend Cayla -- connects to the internet via Bluetooth. The setup allows it to listen and respond to questions like: "What's the tallest animal in the world?" (Answer: Giraffe)

But the German regulator says the doll's design violates privacy rules. They worry that it could be used to snoop on families.

If you’ve taken proper care of your privacy settings, there are chances that you are leaking minimum information about yourself and your family.

But, on the internet, there are lots of creepy websites that act like a database and collect important information. Earlier this week, one such innocent-looking website, FamilyTreeNow.com, came into the limelight. People went into a frenzy as they realized that any person can look up their address, family, phone number, birth month, etc.

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) survey of 2,500 people also found 57% did not trust the companies to handle their data responsibly.

And 51% complained that they had been contacted by organisations that had misused their data.

The CIM says personal data policies on websites should be clearer and simpler.

It says businesses have failed to persuade people to read their online terms and conditions to understand what they do with personal details.