Recently, the Federal Trade Commission imposed a $1.1 million fine on Razer for misleading consumers about the certification of its Zephyr mask as N95-grade.
FTC Bureau of Consumer Projection Director Samuel Levine commented, “In the midst of a global pandemic, these businesses falsely claimed that their face mask was the equivalent of an N95 certified respirator. The FTC remains committed to holding companies accountable for using false claims to target consumers’ health and safety decisions.”
Razer has denied the allegations made by the commission, stating, “We disagree with the FTC’s claims and did not admit to any wrongdoing. Our intention was never to mislead anyone, and we settled to avoid the disruption of litigation and focus on creating innovative products for gamers.”
The company explained that it proactively stopped sales of the Zephyr mask and provided refunds to customers after realizing the misunderstanding. They emphasized that the FTC’s claims were selective and did not represent the full picture.
As part of the settlement, the FTC is prohibiting sales of the Zephyr mask and any COVID-related health misrepresentations. They are requiring Razer to provide scientific evidence for any health claims related to protective goods and services.
The FTC filing suggests that Razer misled consumers about the mask’s ability to protect against COVID, especially considering the timing of its release during the pandemic. The order is pending approval from a District Court judge.
