Razer To Hand Out Over $1M In Refunds For High-Tech But Unauthorized Masks

Image via Federal Trade Commission

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for reliable personal protective equipment (PPE) soared, leading to a surge in the production and sale of N95 masks. During this time, Razer, renowned for its gaming peripherals, too, ventured into the health product market with the launch of the Razer Zephyr mask, which it promoted as “N95-grade.”

The company must now refund over US$1.1 million to consumers who purchased the Zephyr mask, as ordered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This follows the board’s investigation revealing that Razer had advertised the Zephyr—starting from US$99.99—as an N95 or equivalent mask, capable of blocking out 99% of bacteria and viruses and thus offering protection against the coronavirus. However, the gear was never submitted for testing to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), nor did they receive N95 certification.

Besides stressing that the product lacked the rigorous testing and certification required to make such promises, the FTC further alleges that Razer only discontinued its claims after facing negative press coverage and consumer backlash.

“The wearable by itself is not a medical device nor certified as an N95 mask,” Razer was forced to acknowledge in January 2022. “To avoid any confusion, we are in the process of removing all references to ‘N95 Grade Filter’ from our marketing material.”

The settlement requires Razer to pay over US$1.1 million in refunds to consumers who purchased the Zephyr mask. It has additionally been fined US$100,000 in civil penalties.

The brand is also prohibited from making any future N95 claims about the Zephyr or any other face mask product unless it undergoes the proper testing and certification procedures.

[via Kotaku and Gizmodo, cover image via Federal Trade Commission]