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Devices like Apple's most recent MacBook (pictured) use USB Type-C ports for charging. Maurizio Pesce/Flickr

An engineer managed to get dodgy USB cables banned on Amazon

And all it took was a fried Chromebook to make it possible.

AMAZON IS MAKING it much harder for faulty USB cables that could damage your device to be sold on its site.

The decision was taken after a Google engineer named Benson Leung began testing USB Type-C (USB-C) cables sold on Amazon. The ports used are smaller than traditional USB cables and can be used for charging devices as well as transfering info between devices.

After discovering a flaw with the OnePlus 2′s fast-charging feature – they would work with the OnePlus 2 but not with other compatible devices – he started testing out other USB-C cables.

However, one review went horribly wrong earlier this year, a miswired USB-C cable ended up seriously damaging his Chromebook Pixel.

“I directly analyzed the Surjtech cable using a Type-C breakout board and a multimeter, and it appears that they completely miswired the cable,” he said in his review. “Needless to say, this cable is fundamentally dangerous. Do not buy this under any circumstances”.

The message seems to have reached Amazon as he posted an update saying how the company will now ban those who sell such faulty products.

The new entry to prohibited products reads ”Any USB-C (or USB Type-C) cable or adapter product that is not compliant with standard specifications issued by ‘USB Implementers Forum Inc.’”

Granted it doesn’t mean dodgy ones won’t slip through the net but if any companies are thinking about selling bad or intentionally misleading cables, then the possibility of being banned from Amazon might make them think twice before doing so.

Read: Scam calls are still very much a thing so here’s how to stay safe >

Read: There’s a wine bottle that’s designed to connect to your WiFi >

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13 Comments
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    Mute Jay
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    Apr 13th 2025, 8:19 PM

    29 going on 49. You are only young once pal.

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    Mute P. J.
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    Apr 13th 2025, 10:36 PM

    @Jay:
    That’s the only type who would keep a money diary!!
    Have you noticed how many accountants and money managers come up?

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    Mute George Bowling
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    Apr 13th 2025, 8:57 PM

    Maybe if the journal offered a free bet to write one of these diaries we’d all finally get the account of the young life of the hard drinking tearaway whose rent this week is entirely dependent on the 3.30 at Kempton that we all secretly hope to read whenever we open one of these articles.

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    Mute P. J.
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    Apr 13th 2025, 10:33 PM

    @George Bowling:
    Haha, it would have to be a lot more than one free bet to get someone like that to keep an accurate money diary

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    Mute Laney Sinc
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    Apr 13th 2025, 8:06 PM

    Youth is wasted on the young.

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    Mute Lance Taylor
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    Apr 14th 2025, 5:23 AM

    @Laney Sinc: he is a very rich one and saving a pretty penny

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    Mute Trish
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    Apr 13th 2025, 9:23 PM

    Well done. I think you’re doing great.

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    Mute Thomas O'Brien
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    Apr 13th 2025, 9:51 PM

    Woke up, got out of bed, dragged the comb across my head. Made my way downstairs and drank a cup and looking up I noticed I was late.
    Found my coat and grabbed my hat, made the bus in seconds flat.
    Found my way upstairs and had a smoke and somebody spoke and I went into a dream.

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    Mute Thomas Meaney
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    Apr 13th 2025, 8:50 PM

    I can only assume the engineer is either Elec, Mech or similar. His remuneration shows the exploitation large companies get away with. You can be guaranteed they are charging the client double if not more for his role. Of course I’m guessing but this would be typical of construction companies. After all the years studying being an engineer is no longer seen as it was once before.

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    Mute Dan The Man
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    Apr 13th 2025, 9:12 PM

    @Thomas Meaney: He could grow a pair and go work for himself and double his salary immediately minimum.

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    Mute Dominic Leleu
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    Apr 14th 2025, 4:47 AM

    no kids, carreer oriented and no life

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    Mute Dan The Man
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    Apr 14th 2025, 6:05 AM

    @Dominic Leleu: People don’t seem to realise you pay for selfish choices at the end in old age when loneliness and isolation kick in.

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