Razer Has to Refund $1.1 Million for Misleading N95 Claims on Zephyr Face Masks

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Raze has agreed to pay over $1.1 million in refunds to consumers in the United States who purchased its Zephyr face masks. This payment comes as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) following allegations that the company falsely advertised the masks as having N95-grade filters. In addition to the refunds, Razer will also pay a civil penalty of $100,000. The FTC’s complaint centers on Razer’s claims that the Zephyr masks met the N95 standard, which implies that the mask can filter at least 95% of airborne particles. However, the FTC found that Razer had never submitted the masks for certification by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), nor did the masks receive any form of N95 certification.

The settlement also includes a prohibition against Razer making any unsubstantiated health claims related to COVID-19 or other protective health equipment in the future. This is to prevent further misleading of consumers regarding the safety and effectiveness of their products. Razer introduced the Zephyr RGB face mask in 2021 amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic. Originally marketed with features like active ventilation, a UV light sterilization function, and dual air filters enhanced with RGB LED lighting, the mask was touted for its high-level protective capabilities. It was priced at $100 in the United States and included aesthetic features such as internal glow effects that made the wearer’s mouth visible in low light conditions.

The issue came to light following a review by YouTuber Naomi Wu, who revealed that the Zephyr did not conform to the N95 standard as claimed. Subsequently, the FTC noted that negative media coverage and consumer backlash prompted Razer to cease its misleading advertisements. The stipulated order by the FTC mandates that Razer transfer the total revenue generated from the sales of the Zephyr masks, which amounts to approximately $1.071 million. These funds will be used by the FTC to provide full refunds to all American customers who purchased the mask. Additionally, the $100,000 penalty reinforces the FTC's commitment to enforcing truthful marketing and adherence to established safety standards.

This settlement serves as a reminder to companies of the importance of substantiating health-related product claims, especially when public safety is concerned. For consumers, it highlights the need to verify product claims and certifications, particularly for products that are marketed as protective health equipment during critical times such as a pandemic.


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Source: FTC via tweakers.net

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