Apple Replacing Fake Chargers After Woman Was Electrocuted Using iPhone

[DonLever]

Apple replacing fake iPhone chargers after electric shock death

Chinese woman died after answering iPhone during charging with knockoff charger

CBC News

Posted: Aug 6, 2013 11:25 AM ET

Last Updated: Aug 6, 2013 4:18 PM ET

Apple stores and authorized dealers will start accepting USB chargers on Aug. 16 and will be providing cheap replacements until Oct. 18. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

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Apple USB Power Adapter Takeback Program

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Following the electrocution of a woman in China that has been blamed on a knockoff iPhone charger, Apple is offering to take back and recycle counterfeit chargers and replace them with an Apple version for $10 — about half price.

"Recent reports have suggested that some counterfeit and third party adapters may not be designed properly and could result in safety issues," Apple said on a page on its customer support site Tuesday.

"While not all third party adapters have an issue, we are announcing a USB Power Adapter Takeback Program to enable customers to acquire properly designed adapters."

Starting Aug. 16, Apple stores and authorized retailers will accept USB adapters and ensure they are "disposed of in an environmentally friendly way." Until Oct. 18, anyone who returns at least one USB power adapter can buy a new Apple adapter for $10 for each iPhone, iPad and iPod they own. Customers must bring the mobile devices with them so the serial number can be validated. The regular retail prices for Apple USB adapters are $19 for the 12W version and $21 for the 5W version.

Apple announced in July that it was investigating an accident in which a Chinese woman was killed by an electric shock after answering a call on her iPhone while it was charging. Ma Ailun, 23, was from China's western Xinjiang region and worked as a flight attendant with China Southern Airlines.

• Read more about the incident

Several days later, the Chinese state television broadcaster CCTV interviewed a telecommunications expert named Xiang Ligang who said the charger Ailun had been using might have been a knockoff or fake, the South China Morning post reported.

Ligang said in low-quality devices, the capacitor could break down and send 220 volts of electricity straight into the cellphone battery

[TOMapleLaughs]

"Apple considers not ripping off clients so much after client dies from trying to save some money.

... Then they go back to normal."

[Blue90]

You get what you pay for

[RyanKeslord17]

Which retard uses a knock off charger anyway...

[AppleMrHan]

It's like buying medication off eBay, you need to know better than to do so.

[Lancaster]

In China, not surprised.

[250Integra]

In China, not surprised.

[Apples]

Don't look at me

[HTania]

It's like buying medication off eBay, you need to know better than to do so.