Certain Oculus VR headsets can cause skin irritation, according to a new US consumer safety report. Oculus VR launched its latest Quest 2 virtual reality headset in October 2020, and while the new device was more accessible due to its relatively lower price tag, it was quickly met with quite a bit of criticism. The negative response to the Oculus Quest 2 was primarily due to its requiring users to login using a Facebook account, and while that may not be much of an issue for some, other users ended up not being able to use their Quest 2 as they were soon banned from Facebook even though some of the users created fresh accounts just to use the device.
As the owner of Oculus, it seems inevitable for Facebook to require users to sign up for an account with the social media giant to use the Quest 2, in spite of the inevitable backlash associated with it. Facebook also recently announced that it is planning to test out ads in Oculus Quest apps, which will almost undoubtedly lead to even more criticism of the company, although Facebook has said that it will be implementing the in-app ads based on the feedback of users.
In a new report by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, the organization has issued a recall for the removable foam inserts of the Oculus Quest 2 as it has been found to cause skin irritation and reactions, including “rashes, swelling, burning, itching, hives, and bumps.” According to the CPSC, the recall was initiated after over 5,000 incidents of skin irritation were reported by users, with around 45 of those requiring actual medical attention. The recall was then issued on July 27, 2021, stating that over 4 million units of the foam insert being affected, including those that came along with Quest 2 headsets, sold separately, and as part of the Quest 2 Fit Pack. Oculus, meanwhile, has temporarily paused sales of the headset while it integrates a new silicone cover which will hopefully resolve the issue.
Customers have been asked to check the SKUs and serial numbers of their products to confirm if they’re part of the affected batch, which were sold at several retailers, including BestBuy, GameStop, and Oculus’s own website, among others, from October 2020 and July 2021. For the Quest 2 headset specifically, the affected serial numbers begin with “1WMHH” and end with a number below “1264.” Those who own one of the problematic foam inserts have been instructed to contact Oculus to request for one of the new silicone covers that are meant to fit over the foam inserts and supposedly prevent any skin irritation from potentially occurring.
While the recall is unfortunate, it’s good that Oculus is already in the process of providing the silicon cover to remedy the potential problem with the foam insert in the Oculus Quest 2. Future customers will hopefully not have to worry about the issue as the company is including the new silicone cover with the headset when it goes back on sale in August. Hopefully, Oculus is able to send out the silicon covers to those who already own the Quest 2 in a timely manner.
Source: USCPSC, Oculus Blog, US Consumer Product Safety Commission/Twitter