Reports on exploding Samsung washing machines have surfaced this week, worsening the company’s problem with its Galaxy Note 7 handsets.
Samsung and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) informed that some top-loading washing machines made between March 2011 and April 2016 were affected, Reuters noted.
Samsung advised users with affected units to choose the lower-speed delicate cycle when washing certain materials:
“In rare cases, affected units may experience abnormal vibrations that could pose a risk of personal injury or property damage when washing bedding, bulky or water-resistant items.”
The number and type of problematic units have not been specified, but a company spokesperson said models outside North America are not affected.
People are now coming up with all sorts of theories to explain the issue, and the idea of a conspiracy boycotting Asian companies in the U.S. was brought up.
Netizens wrote over Facebook (via Vulcan Post):
“And everything happened in the US… Come on la conspiracy to bring down an Asian company at its best… I’ve been using Samsung products from phone, fridge, TV and washing machine for many years and [they] never exploded. Please stop all the drama…”
“This is called pulling a leg… Why [does] this happen only in USA? Simple. It’s drama to bring down an Asian company, I guess.”
“I have been using Samsung appliances for donkey years…nothing happened. Clear cut sabo or this guy want to make a fast buck.”
With memories of exploding Galaxy Note 7 models still fresh, some saw — or joked about — Samsung’s future in weaponry:
“Soon, Samsung will compete with terrorist groups on who’s the best bomb manufacturer lol… With exploding phones and washing machines, who needs bombs these days.”
“Samsung has elevated to become a defense company making home appliance bomb devices.”
“Soon all war factory will be brought over by Samsung hahaha.”
For now, Samsung is “working on a remedy for affected customers” of the problematic washing machines. On Thursday, the company announced that over 1 million people are now using “safe” Galaxy Note 7 handsets.
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