Razer, Inc. has agreed to pay more than $1.1 million as part of a settlement against a COVID-related health product scam. Read on to find out more about the case, its order, and the marketing controversy surrounding the Zephyr Mask.
Razer’s Zephyr Mask
Civil Case Settlement For Deceptive Marketing
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced the proposed settlement with Razer Inc. requiring payment of more than $1.1 million last Monday. The settlement includes refunds to consumers and a civil penalty, stemming from the deceptive marketing of their supposed "N95-grade" Zephyr face masks.
The FTC's investigation revealed that Razer marketed its Zephyr masks as N95-grade protective equipment without submitting them for testing to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Despite the claims made by Razer, the masks were never certified as N95, prompting the FTC to take action against the company.
The complaint alleges that Razer's deceptive advertising misled consumers into believing that the Zephyr masks offered N95-equivalent protection against COVID-19. These false claims were disseminated through various channels, including Razer's website, TikTok, Twitter(X), Instagram, Facebook, Discord, and YouTube.
As part of the proposed settlement, Razer and its affiliated entities involved in the development, marketing, and sale of the Zephyr masks are prohibited from making COVID-related health misrepresentations or unsubstantiated health claims about protective health equipment. They are also required to pay a civil penalty of $100,000.
Additionally, the proposed settlement mandates that Razer provide full refunds to consumers who purchased the deceptively marketed Zephyr masks. The settlement amount, totaling $1,071,254.33, corresponds to Razer's revenue from the sale of these masks and will be utilized by the FTC to facilitate refunds to affected consumers.
In response to the settlement, Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, emphasized the importance of holding businesses accountable for false and unsubstantiated health claims, particularly during a global pandemic. Levine affirmed the FTC's commitment to safeguarding consumers' health and safety by combating deceptive practices in the marketing of protective health products.
False Advertising Marketing Fiasco
- [1] Image taken from United States of America v Razer
The Zephyr mask raised questions in 2022 after its release the previous year, about its efficacy due to reported gaps around the seals for many users. This raised doubts about the mask's ability to provide adequate protection, especially against COVID-19. Razer's initial response included plans to remove all mentions of N95 marketing from the Zephyr website. However, critics argued that this action came too late, as the misinformation had already circulated widely, potentially putting individuals at risk.
In an official statement, Razer emphasized that while the filters used in the Zephyr mask have been tested for efficiency, the mask itself is not certified as an N95 mask or a medical device. Razer pledged to remove references to N95 Grade Filter
from its marketing material and reach out to existing customers to provide clarification. Details regarding the mask's specifications, marketing claims, and previous statements about the mask can no longer be found on Razer's current website.
Source:
FTC Press Release
[1]United States of America v Razer
PC Gamer 2022 Article
