WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumer Reports today welcomed an announcement by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission that Facebook is recalling about 4 million foam inserts for the Oculus Quest 2 virtual reality headset, which is often used for video gaming. According to the announcement, Facebook and the CPSC are aware of approximately 5,700 reports of skin irritation, including approximately 45 reports of consumers who required medical attention.
William Wallace, the manager of safety policy for Consumer Reports, said, “Our safety laws aren’t just for kitchen appliances and home improvement equipment—massive tech companies need to take steps to protect people’s health and safety, too. They need to test products thoroughly on the front end to avoid harm, and when something goes wrong, they need to act quickly. It shouldn’t take more than 5,700 complaints for Facebook or any other company to launch a recall. All companies, no matter what sector they’re in, must be ready to coordinate with the CPSC on an effective recall when people are at risk of getting hurt.”
According to the CPSC announcement, the removable foam inserts for the Oculus Quest 2 headset can cause facial skin irritation and reactions including rashes, swelling, burning, itching, hives, and bumps. People who experience a skin irritation or reaction should immediately stop using the recalled insert, and anyone with the insert should immediately participate in the recall.
The recalled inserts were included with the purchase of an Oculus Quest 2 virtual reality headset and also sold separately as a “Quest 2 Standard Facial Interface” or in a “Quest 2 Fit Pack.” The recalled products were sold at BestBuy, GameStop, Target, Walmart, and other retailers, and online at Oculus.com, Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, Gamestop.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com between October 2020 and July 2021.
Consumers can check whether their product is part of the recall and receive a free silicone cover by going to www.oculus.com/quest-2/removable-facial-interface-alert.
To learn more, read the CR news story here.
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Contact: David Butler, david.butler@consumer.org
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