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| Apple AirTag batteries are easily accessible to children |
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has warned buyers to keep Apple's AirTag trackers out of the reach of young children because it is too easy to remove potentially dangerous batteries from small location trackers.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission statement warns that AirTag's small lithium batteries can seriously infect children if they leak or get stuck in a child's throat, nose or ears.
The team paid special attention to Apple's design, which makes these batteries extremely easy to use.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is concerned that the AirTag's battery compartment may be within the reach of young children and that the battery is easily removable.
Additionally, the AirTag's battery compartment cover is not always secured when closed. When the AirTag cover is closed, a distinctive sound will sound indicating that the cover cannot be closed tightly.
The warning came after the Australian department store chain Officeworks stopped selling Apple location trackers for the same reason. At least one regulator in another country must perform an AirTag integrity check.
Since then, Apple has added a new warning to the AirTag packaging. The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission quotes Apple: The AirTag is designed to meet international child safety standards. The agency said it is currently discussing security concerns with Apple.
AirTag battery cause for concern
Many devices, including AirTag competitors, use coin cell batteries. Some companies will make it difficult to withdraw. For example, a tile tracker requires the use of a paper clip or a precision screwdriver to replace the battery.
Australia recently introduced comprehensive and stricter new safety rules for devices that use coin-cell batteries, and Apple is not the only company that has been reviewed by the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission.
AirTag is powered by a CR2032 battery, a lithium coin cell battery commonly used in watches and many small devices.
In Australia, about 20 children are taken to the emergency room each week after these batteries are taken. Three of these children have died and 44 have been seriously injured in the past eight years.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has announced that it is looking to see if similar Bluetooth trackers have security issues with coin-cell batteries and that companies that do not meet the new standards must comply by June 2022.