Hacker News with Generative AI: Consumer Safety

Watchdog to issue new guidance after report finds air fryers may be listening (news.sky.com)
Smart device manufacturers will be issued with new guidance on how to comply with data protection laws, a watchdog has said, after it emerged air fryers may have been listening in on families' conversations.
Privacy, Smart Devices, Data Protection, Consumer Safety
15 points by austinallegro 33 days ago | 16 comments
A simple math error sparked a panic about black plastic kitchen utensils (nationalpost.com)
The simple arithmetic error that unnecessarily sent countless plastic spatulas into the trash over a toxic chemical scare came to light a few days ago as Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society, sat reading a research paper in his office in the Otto Maass Chemistry building on Montreal’s Sherbrooke Street.
Science, Misinformation, Consumer Safety
141 points by IndrekR 37 days ago | 176 comments
Online Shopping Can't Be Trusted (thewalrus.ca)
In 2023, UK-based Reddit user “pacacinnoscafe” wrote that they endured chemical burns after reordering their usual sunscreen from Amazon. Chemical burns cause symptoms that are similar to those of a first-degree burn: red, swollen, and painful skin that may develop blisters. Although the product appeared legitimate, it turned out to be a fake. Pacacinnoscafe was wondering what recourse they had, if any, given their excruciating pain.
Online Shopping, Consumer Safety, Fake Products, Amazon
6 points by pseudolus 79 days ago | 3 comments
Galaxy Buds reportedly exploded in a user's ear causing permanent hearing loss (androidpolice.com)
Consumer Safety, Samsung, Audio Devices, Hearing Loss
82 points by teleforce 114 days ago | 90 comments
These Anker battery packs are a fire hazard, stop using them right away (androidpolice.com)
Consumer Safety, Anker, Battery Packs
5 points by austinallegro 121 days ago | 0 comments
Disney wrongful death lawsuit over allergy highlights danger of fine print (usatoday.com)
Lawsuits, Allergies, Consumer Safety
19 points by botanical 155 days ago | 14 comments
Amazon forced to recall 400K products that could kill, electrocute people (arstechnica.com)
Consumer Safety, Product Recalls, Amazon
35 points by Umofomia 171 days ago | 13 comments
Three women contract HIV from dirty "vampire facials" at unlicensed spa (arstechnica.com)
Health, Medical Mishaps, Unlicensed Practices, Consumer Safety
74 points by alphabettsy 267 days ago | 86 comments