Why did the ACCC issue takedown requests to Amazon, eBay, Kogan, and Fruugo?

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued urgent takedown requests because third-party merchants on these marketplaces were selling banned, potentially deadly toys.

How are e-commerce platforms responding to the ACCC magnetic toy crackdown?

Amazon (AMZN), eBay (EBAY), Kogan (KGN), and Fruugo have committed to complying with the ACCC’s directives by removing the affected listings. They are actively contacting customers who purchased the hazardous games to warn them of the safety risks.

What specific products are being targeted by the Australian competition regulator?

The ACCC investigation specifically highlights popular online "magnetic chess" or "magnetic battle chess" style games that contain small, high-powered magnets. These specific types of items fall under a permanent product safety ban in Australia due to the severe internal injuries they can cause if ingested.

Is Kogan (ASX:KGN) facing legal penalties or enforcement action over these magnetic toys?

The ACCC has not launched formal legal proceedings against Kogan (ASX:KGN) over the magnetic toys, as the company has agreed to pull the listings and offer refunds. However, ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe stated that the regulator will continue investigating the supply of banned products and will consider formal enforcement action against non-compliant businesses where appropriate.

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ACCC targets e-commerce giants over deadly toys

Written by Liezl GambePublished Jun 2, 2026, 2:46 AM

Australia's competition watchdog has launched a major crackdown on online marketplaces, issuing urgent takedown requests to e-commerce firms Amazon, eBay, Kogan, and Fruugo over the sale of potentially deadly magnetic toys.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission confirmed that its ongoing investigation revealed third-party merchants were listing banned products containing high-powered magnets, specifically popular "magnetic chess" or "magnetic battle chess" style games.

ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe warned that these small, high-powered magnets pose severe, life-threatening safety risks if swallowed by children, prompting the regulator to demand the immediate removal of the non-compliant listings.

In response, all four retail platforms have committed to complying with the ACCC’s directives and are actively contacting affected consumers to warn them of the dangers.

Furthermore, Kogan, Amazon, and Fruugo have already provided or offered full refunds to customers who purchased the hazardous games.

While an eBay spokesperson confirmed that the flagged listings were promptly removed in accordance with the company’s strict product safety policy, Amazon, Kogan, and Fruugo did not immediately return requests for comment.

Lowe has strongly urged all brick-and-mortar and digital businesses across Australia to immediately review their inventory, issue product recalls, and offer refunds for non-compliant items, flagging that the regulator is prepared to pursue enforcement action if necessary.

The intervention follows separate legal proceedings initiated by the ACCC against Amazon Commercial Services on May 29, which alleged serious breaches of product safety labelling laws regarding children's backpacks.