Apple Airtags Withdrawn from Sale at Officeworks / JB Hifi

jimbobaus on 05/05/2021 - 06:44
Last edited 05/05/2021 - 18:41

Officeworks have withdrawn Apple airtags from sale over concerns about children getting access to the easily removed battery

ACCC have also expressed concern over how easy it is for children to access the removable battery.

Statement from Officeworks:

The Apple Air Tag range will temporarily be unavailable for purchase from Officeworks,” an Officeworks representative said in an email. “The product will not be stocked by Officeworks until further guidance is provided from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.”

https://9to5mac.com/2021/05/04/airtags-withdrawn-from-sale-o…

Update: JB HIFI have now removed them from sale also.

Computing Apple Smart Tag

Related Stores

Officeworks
Officeworks

Comments

  • thewinchester on 05/05/2021 - 07:40
    +7

    They’re not wrong to err on the side of caution.

    https://www.productsafety.gov.au/products/electronics-techno…

    Especially when you look at the number of recalls in this category (81 since 2004):

    https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recalls/browse-all-recalls?…

    And a quick read of the mandatory safety standard for button batteries suggests that Airtags may not meet Sect 9 (Compartment holding button/coin batteries must be resistant to being opened by young children).

    However, if that is the case - is the permitted testing regime that Apple used in this area (either UL 4200A UL Standard for Safety for Products Incorporating Button or Coin Cell Batteries of Lithium Technologies, or IEC 62368‑1:2018 Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment‑Part 1: Safety requirements) not quite up to the job of ensuring product design for button battery products keeps kids safe?

    Be interesting to see what comes out of this, that’s for sure.

    • jimbobaus on 05/05/2021 - 07:43
      +1

      I was of the understanding that button batteries were being phased out / Banned in Australia soon?
      When these were announced i was curios to see how it went long term when the ban was to come into effect (2022 i think i read somewhere)

      Suspect Apple will get away with a "safety warning" on the packaging …. be interested to see if others remove them from sale

      • iforgotmysocks on 05/05/2021 - 08:30
        +3

        Yes they are being replaced with velcro batteries…

      • Sleeqb7 on 05/05/2021 - 16:47

        Button batteries phased out or banned?

        But.. Practically every desktop computer uses a CR2032. And what do I do with my watches?

  • Fredfloresjr on 05/05/2021 - 08:35
    -5

    Parents responsibility to look after their kids.

    • CrispyChrispy on 05/05/2021 - 08:56

      Even if, the fact that Officeworks pulled them from sale due to safety concerns should be a red light going off.

    • Quantumcat on 05/05/2021 - 09:14
      +1

      One of the children that died in Australia from a button battery found it in a playground. Just not having any in the house won't prevent it ever happening

    • moo on 05/05/2021 - 09:56

      FredfloresSR must have raised you well!

      • bongom on 05/05/2021 - 10:10
        +1

        or didn't raise them at all?

  • Austaurean on 05/05/2021 - 09:07
    +1

    Maybe they could learn from TILE as their battery is very hard to remove, unless you use a small screwdriver or a pin etc.. well it was in the one i have used.

  • mini2 on 05/05/2021 - 09:11
    +2

    I don't see anyone complaining about car keys using these batteries, granted they are fairly difficult to pull apart even by adults.

    They could use a small screw to secure the battery compartment's cover although that screws up the aesthetics.

    • Quantumcat on 05/05/2021 - 09:15

      They could add a little rubber circle over the screw to keep it looking nice.

      • mini2 on 05/05/2021 - 10:02
        +1

        Could even become an additional income for Apple by selling these replacement rubber cover/dome/whatevs for $1.99 each or something. Everybody wins!

    • Presence on 05/05/2021 - 10:04

      although that screws up the aesthetics.

      Yeah Apple won't do that lol.

  • Seraphin7 on 05/05/2021 - 09:16
    +3

    Another market leading, quality built, and sensibly priced item from the world's leading tech company.

    • jimbobaus on 05/05/2021 - 09:36
      +13

      I find the irony of them getting into issues over "removable batteries" the funniest thing of all

      • mini2 on 05/05/2021 - 10:04
        +1

        If users can't replace the battery themselves then ifixit and friends will have a field day on them. Can't win them all I suppose.

        • FatBlanket on 06/05/2021 - 03:55
          -1

          Apple could cure cancer and they’d be ridiculed for it.

  • artxty on 05/05/2021 - 09:43
    +8

    Now I understand why they put screws on the battery cover of small items, I was always annoyed by it, but now I see why.

  • lunchbox99 on 05/05/2021 - 11:58

    Seems a bit daft that hearing aids are exempt. I assume it's because oldies would have trouble removing a kid safe compartment.

  • jv on 05/05/2021 - 12:02
    -2

    over concerns about children getting access to the easily removed battery

    Why aren't the concerned about selling Guillotines?

    • godofpizza on 05/05/2021 - 12:08
      +1

      A child swallowing a button battery is a nightmare. As you don't have any idea what they're done until it could be too late.

      • jv on 05/05/2021 - 12:11
        -2

        I see…

        As opposed to chopping of their hand, where you find out sooner, rather than later…

        • godofpizza on 05/05/2021 - 12:22

          well, you can see the blood and screaming with a missing hands/fingers.

          a button battery being swollen could not be immediately know for hours.

          • lunchbox99 on 05/05/2021 - 16:16
            +1

            @godofpizza: I think it's also because small children are unlikely to be in a place with a guillotine. Coin batteries are in everything.

          • Quantumcat on 06/05/2021 - 07:28

            @godofpizza: Or days

  • Wizard on 05/05/2021 - 13:06

    Tile is better. Battery is secure.

    • jimbobaus on 05/05/2021 - 14:12
      +1

      i initially thought tile was the superior product.
      Until you compare features, if you live in the iphone/apple world then the airtag is a far better product

      • Wizard on 05/05/2021 - 17:58
        -1

        Tile works on iOS and Android. Therefore better.

        • jimbobaus on 05/05/2021 - 18:30
          +1

          Nope. If you own an iPhone you are 100% Better off with airtags. They are a far superior product in many ways. They way they would with find my is unbeatable.

          If you own android then yes tile is a decent product. If you don’t then the choice is easy.

  • kfcfatfat on 05/05/2021 - 21:47
    -1

    Here's another reason. The anti-stalking feature doesn't work. See the test below.

    https://youtu.be/dKKWLrbkPiI

  • GregFiona on 15/07/2021 - 09:57

    If they have removed them and they do not sell them online, why their website still shows them “in stock” at the local stores?

    • jimbobaus on 15/07/2021 - 12:39

      This was posted over 2 months ago, they might be stocking them again

      • GregFiona on 15/07/2021 - 21:35

        I went to a store for a powerbank for my phone(extended working hours, frontline worker)and Store Manager said plenty of stock but their are not
        allowed to sell them due to the battery concerns.
        I found it a bit misleading that they are advertising them as “in stock”

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