Barbie Video Girl comes with a digital camera hidden inside her necklace that is capable of recording 30 minutes of footage. The Barbie Video Girl also features a small screen for viewing video in her back and comes with a USB cable.
The Barbie Video Girl toy's ability to produce video that can be uploaded to YouTube proved popular among children and Barbie enthusiasts.
But Federal Bureau of Investigation cybercrime experts warned during the holiday shopping season of 2010 that Barbie Video Girl could be popular among another segment of the population - child pornographers.
FBI Issues Alert for Barbie Video Girl
The FBI Sacramento office issued a "cybercrime alert" to its investigators in November 2010 titled "Barbie Video Girl a Possible Child Pornography Production Method."
The alert reads: "Law enforcement is encouraged to be aware of unconventional avenues for possible production and possession of child pornography, such as the Barbie Video Girl.
An FBI spokesman said in published reports that the Barbie Video Girl alert was written to remind investigators not to overlook the doll during any searches. He told reporters that there had been no known instances of the toy being used to produce child pornography.
Toymaker Responds to Barbie Girl Video Alert
Mattel issued a prepared statement to The Washington Post in response to the FBI's alert about Barbie Video Girl. Mattel pointed out there had been no reported incidents of Barbie Video Girl being used to deceive children into making pornography.
"The FBI is not reporting that anything has happened. Steve Dupre from the FBI Sacramento field office has confirmed there have been no incidents of this doll being used as anything other than as intended," Mattel wrote.
"Mattel products are designed with children and their best interests in mind. Many of Mattel's employees are parents themselves and we understand the importance of child safety - it is our number one priority," Mattel said.
Barbie Video Girl hit the market in July 2010 and sold for $49.99. The doll is meant for children ages 6 and older.