Razer Instructed to Process Refunds for Excessive RGB Face Mask Products
Chatting It Up: Razer's Zephyr Fiasco
Remember the buzz around Razer's Zephyr face mask back in 2021? It's safe to say it wasn't the most auspicious gadget we encountered. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently claimed that Razer never even got the mask tested, bypassing the three-year mark since its launch.
The FTC called this out, labeling Razer as the "sellers of a supposed N95-grade face mask called the Zephyr." According to an official statement published Monday, Razer must return more than $1.1 million to consumers who bought the face mask in the U.S. The FTC also wants Razer to pay a civil penalty of $100,000 for misleading buyers about the mask's protective abilities[1][2].
Samuel Levine, the Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, voiced, "These businesses made false claims, in the midst of a global pandemic, implying their face mask was the equivalent of an N95 certified respirator."
We reached out to Razer for comment. In response, the company stated, "We disagree with the FTC's allegations and did not admit to any wrongdoing as part of the settlement. Our intention was never to mislead anyone, and we settled to avoid the distraction and disruption of litigation."
The Razer Zephyr was designed with gamers in mind, aiming to provide a unique, innovative face covering solution. The FTC's concerns revolved around certain statements made about the Zephyr. Razer had already alerted customers in the past that the Zephyr was not a N95 mask, ceased sales, and refunded customers[1].
It's worth noting that the N95 grade certification comes from the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The FTC argues that the $100 Zephyr masks were not certified[1]. At the time, advertisements exaggerated the mask's protective abilities, a notable point given the ongoing global pandemic.
YouTuber Naomi Wu started investigating Razer's claims and found that the company had finally dropped mention of the N95-level protections from its ads[1].
[1] FTC Press Release, Settlements, January 11, 2021.[2] Ars Technica, FTC takes action against companies claims over face masks during pandemic, December 15, 2020.
- The future of wearable technology, specifically Razer's Zephyr mask, was tainted by controversy in 2021, after being labeled as "sellers of a supposed N95-grade face mask" by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- Despite Razer's initial claims, the Zephyr mask was not N95 certified, a point of contention that led to the FTC demanding over $1.1 million in refunds for American consumers who purchased it.
- In response to the FTC's allegations, Razer stated that they never aimed to mislead consumers and settled the case to avoid litigation, despite not admitting to any wrongdoing.
- While the Razer Zephyr, designed for gamers, initially exaggerated its protective abilities, falsely implying N95-grade certification, the company later dropped these claims from its advertisements following investigations by influencers like YouTuber Naomi Wu.
