Australian retailer Officeworks has removed Apple AirTags from its stores due to child safety concerns surrounding the CR 2032 coin cell batteries. At the time of this report, the tracking devices were still available at Apple's Australian online store and at retailers such as JB Hi-Fi and Big W. The email stated, "Until further guidance is received from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, this product will not be carried by Office Works."

Employees first noticed yesterday, May 3, that they could not call Air Tags. According to a Reddit user, "Staff at the counter could confirm that the product was in stock on the system, and one staff member remembered that it was sold on Friday, but could not find it today."

OfficeWorks then informed the employee that it was withholding the coin batteries due to safety concerns, given that they could be easily removed by children.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) spoke to Gizmodo Australia about the matter.

"The ACCC is aware of reports raising concerns about the accessibility of button batteries in Apple AirTag products," a spokesperson said in an email. If the ACCC discovers that a product supplied by a supplier is unsafe, the ACCC expects the supplier to conduct a voluntary recall and either notify consumers of the risk, address the safety issue, or remove the product from the market."

Australian law requires retailers and suppliers to file injury reports on the Product Safety Australia website if they become aware of product-related injury, illness, or death. At this time, it is not known whether any injuries have been caused by AirTag coin-operated batteries.

Gizmodo Australia reached out to Apple for comment and received this response:

"The AirTag is designed to meet international child safety standards, including Australian, and users can access the replaceable battery through a two-step push-and-turn mechanism. We are watching the regulations closely and working to ensure that our products meet or exceed the new standards well ahead of the required timelines, including those related to package labeling."

Apple has a mechanism in place to make it difficult for children to remove the CR 2032 battery, but it's not too hard to get to it. It can be removed by simply twisting the back plate. According to Choice, an Australian consumer advocacy group, three children have died after swallowing coin batteries since 2013. The ACCC also reports that approximately 20 children a week are rushed to the emergency room in Australia after swallowing a button battery.